CVE-2023-32398

Kernel code execution via use-after-free

Published Jun 23, 2023 · Updated Dec 5, 2024

Use-after-free in the Apple operating-system kernel allows local users to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges through a malicious app. Apple identifies the Kernel component but has not published the affected function or the memory-lifetime operation that leaves the freed object reachable. Execution requires a user to run an untrusted app locally and affects releases before iOS/iPadOS 15.7.6 or 16.5, macOS 11.7.7, 12.6.6, or 13.4, tvOS 16.5, and watchOS 9.5, giving the app kernel-level control.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.24%
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 the Apple operating-system kernel allows local users to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges through a malicious app. Apple identifies the Kernel component but has not published the affected function or the memory-lifetime operation that leaves the freed object reachable. Execution requires a user to run an untrusted app locally and affects releases before iOS/iPadOS 15.7.6 or 16.5, macOS 11.7.7, 12.6.6, or 13.4, tvOS 16.5, and watchOS 9.5, giving the app kernel-level control.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-32398
Published
Jun 23, 2023
Updated
Dec 5, 2024
Vendor
Apple
Product
iOS and iPadOS
Classifications
CWE-416, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 23, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Dec 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 <15.7
  2. Affected versionversion=unspecified <16.5

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · iOS and iPadOSversion=unspecified <15.7; version=unspecified <16.5
Apple · tvOSversion=unspecified <16.5
Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <11.7; version=unspecified <12.6; version=unspecified <13.4
Apple · watchOSversion=unspecified <9.5

Published CVSS scores

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

CWE-416Use After Free
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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