CVE-2023-27957

Code execution via ImageIO file-processing buffer overflow

Published May 8, 2023 · Updated Jan 29, 2025

Buffer overflow in ImageIO in Apple macOS before 13.3 allows context-dependent attackers to crash an app or execute arbitrary code. The ImageIO file-processing path mishandles memory when parsing a crafted file; Apple has not disclosed the affected parser or copy operation. The file must be opened or otherwise processed, and resulting code runs within the affected process's security context.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.22%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
Coverage for this vulnerability

See if you're affected

Explore vulnerability checks for your environment with Hinoki.

Book a demo

Summary

What happened

Buffer overflow in ImageIO in Apple macOS before 13.3 allows context-dependent attackers to crash an app or execute arbitrary code. The ImageIO file-processing path mishandles memory when parsing a crafted file; Apple has not disclosed the affected parser or copy operation. The file must be opened or otherwise processed, and resulting code runs within the affected process's security context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-27957
Published
May 8, 2023
Updated
Jan 29, 2025
Vendor
Apple
Product
macOS
Classifications
CWE-120, T1204.002
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

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

Is a vulnerable build present?

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

  1. Affected versionversion=unspecified <13.3

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <13.3

Published CVSS scores

7.8NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.8CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/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
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-120Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow')
T1204.002Malicious File

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

See the directory against your own environment.

Your stack

Check the software in your environment

Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.

Book a demo