CVE-2023-23540

Kernel code execution via faulty memory handling

Published May 8, 2023 · Updated Jan 29, 2025

A memory-handling flaw in Apple Neural Engine in Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS allows attackers to execute code with kernel privileges. Apple identifies faulty memory handling but has not disclosed the specific operation or input that corrupts memory. Exploitation requires an app to run locally on a device with Apple Neural Engine, after which code executes in the kernel context.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.29%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

A memory-handling flaw in Apple Neural Engine in Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS allows attackers to execute code with kernel privileges. Apple identifies faulty memory handling but has not disclosed the specific operation or input that corrupts memory. Exploitation requires an app to run locally on a device with Apple Neural Engine, after which code executes in the kernel context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-23540
Published
May 8, 2023
Updated
Jan 29, 2025
Vendor
Apple
Product
iOS and iPadOS
Classifications
T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 8, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Jan 29, 2025Record 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 <15.7
  2. Affected versionversion=unspecified <16.4

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · iOS and iPadOSversion=unspecified <15.7; version=unspecified <16.4
Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <11.7; version=unspecified <12.6

Published CVSS scores

7.8CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.8NVDCVSS: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 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

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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