CVE-2023-28198Network attack vector

Arbitrary code execution via WebKit use-after-free

Published Aug 14, 2023 · Updated Feb 13, 2025

Use-after-free in Apple WebKit on iOS and iPadOS before 16.4 and macOS Ventura before 13.3 allows remote attackers to execute code via web content. The WebKit engine accesses an object after its backing memory has been freed while processing untrusted content; Apple has not identified the affected function or object type. Exploitation requires user interaction with attacker-controlled web content and can compromise the WebKit process, while no sandbox escape is established.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability0.93%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Use-after-free in Apple WebKit on iOS and iPadOS before 16.4 and macOS Ventura before 13.3 allows remote attackers to execute code via web content. The WebKit engine accesses an object after its backing memory has been freed while processing untrusted content; Apple has not identified the affected function or object type. Exploitation requires user interaction with attacker-controlled web content and can compromise the WebKit process, while no sandbox escape is established.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-28198
Published
Aug 14, 2023
Updated
Feb 13, 2025
Vendor
Apple
Product
iOS and iPadOS
Classifications
CWE-416, T1203
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 14, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Feb 13, 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 vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · iOS and iPadOSversion=unspecified <16.4
Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <13.3

Published CVSS scores

8.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/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)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-416Use After Free
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution

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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