CVE-2023-38261

Kernel-privileged arbitrary code execution

Published Jul 27, 2023 · Updated Oct 23, 2024

Memory-handling flaw in Apple iOS and iPadOS before 16.6 and macOS before 13.5 allows attackers to execute code with kernel privileges. The Kernel component performs an undisclosed incorrect operation in a memory-handling path; Apple has not published the faulty input or code-level mechanism. Exploitation requires an app to exercise the flaw locally, after which attacker-controlled code runs with kernel privileges.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.32%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Memory-handling flaw in Apple iOS and iPadOS before 16.6 and macOS before 13.5 allows attackers to execute code with kernel privileges. The Kernel component performs an undisclosed incorrect operation in a memory-handling path; Apple has not published the faulty input or code-level mechanism. Exploitation requires an app to exercise the flaw locally, after which attacker-controlled code runs with kernel privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-38261
Published
Jul 27, 2023
Updated
Oct 23, 2024
Vendor
Apple
Product
iOS and iPadOS
Classifications
T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jul 27, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Oct 23, 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 <16.6

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · iOS and iPadOSversion=unspecified <16.6
Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <13.5

Published CVSS scores

7.8NIST NVDCVSS: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.

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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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