CVE-2023-27933

Kernel code execution from root-privileged apps

Published May 8, 2023 · Updated Jan 29, 2025

Memory corruption in Apple operating systems before their March 2023 updates allows local users to execute code with kernel privileges. Apple identifies the Kernel component and improper memory handling, but has not disclosed the affected object or erroneous operation. Exploitation requires a root-privileged app already running locally, and success crosses the user-kernel boundary to kernel code execution.

CVSS severity6.7
Medium
EPSS probability0.25%
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 operating systems before their March 2023 updates allows local users to execute code with kernel privileges. Apple identifies the Kernel component and improper memory handling, but has not disclosed the affected object or erroneous operation. Exploitation requires a root-privileged app already running locally, and success crosses the user-kernel boundary to kernel code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-27933
Published
May 8, 2023
Updated
Jan 29, 2025
Vendor
Apple
Product
iOS and iPadOS
Classifications
CWE-787, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
admin

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 <16.4

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

Apple · iOS and iPadOSversion=unspecified <16.4
Apple · tvOSversion=unspecified <16.4
Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <12.6; version=unspecified <13.3
Apple · watchOSversion=unspecified <9.4

Published CVSS scores

6.7CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.7NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/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
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-787Out-of-bounds Write
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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