CVE-2017-13835

Elevated code execution via fsck_msdos memory corruption

Published Dec 23, 2021 · Updated Aug 5, 2024

Memory corruption in Apple macOS before 10.13 allows local users to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges through fsck_msdos. Apple has not disclosed the malformed input, memory operation, or specific code path in fsck_msdos that corrupts memory. Exploitation requires a user to run an application that reaches the local filesystem-checking utility, after which injected code executes with elevated privileges.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.77%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Memory corruption in Apple macOS before 10.13 allows local users to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges through fsck_msdos. Apple has not disclosed the malformed input, memory operation, or specific code path in fsck_msdos that corrupts memory. Exploitation requires a user to run an application that reaches the local filesystem-checking utility, after which injected code executes with elevated privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2017-13835
Published
Dec 23, 2021
Updated
Aug 5, 2024
Vendor
Apple
Product
macOS
Classifications
CWE-119, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 23, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 5, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=unspecified <10.13

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <10.13

Published CVSS scores

6.8NIST NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-119Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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