CVE-2023-38597Network attack vector

Code execution via undisclosed WebKit checks

Published Jul 26, 2023 · Updated Feb 13, 2025

Code execution in the WebKit Process Model in Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Safari allows remote attackers to run code via web content. Apple states that improved checks resolved the issue but has not published the failed check or the untrusted value it validates. Exploitation requires a user to process attacker-controlled web content, after which code can run with the privileges of the affected WebKit process.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability1.21%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Code execution in the WebKit Process Model in Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Safari allows remote attackers to run code via web content. Apple states that improved checks resolved the issue but has not published the failed check or the untrusted value it validates. Exploitation requires a user to process attacker-controlled web content, after which code can run with the privileges of the affected WebKit process.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-38597
Published
Jul 26, 2023
Updated
Feb 13, 2025
Vendor
Apple
Product
iOS and iPadOS
Classifications
T1203
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jul 26, 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 <15.7
  2. Affected versionversion=unspecified <16.6

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · iOS and iPadOSversion=unspecified <15.7; version=unspecified <16.6
Apple · Safariversion=unspecified <16.6
Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <13.5

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 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

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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