CVE-2023-38598

Kernel code execution via use-after-free

Published Jul 28, 2023 · Updated Feb 13, 2025

Kernel use-after-free in Apple iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, macOS, and watchOS allows local users to execute code with kernel privileges. Apple has not disclosed the affected kernel object or code path; the flaw retains a usable reference after the referenced memory is freed. Exploitation requires execution of a crafted app on an affected device and grants control in the kernel security context.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability1.28%
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

Kernel use-after-free in Apple iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, macOS, and watchOS allows local users to execute code with kernel privileges. Apple has not disclosed the affected kernel object or code path; the flaw retains a usable reference after the referenced memory is freed. Exploitation requires execution of a crafted app on an affected device and grants control in the kernel security context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-38598
Published
Jul 28, 2023
Updated
Feb 13, 2025
Vendor
Apple
Product
iOS and iPadOS
Classifications
CWE-416, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jul 28, 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

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 <15.7
  2. Affected versionversion=unspecified <16.6

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · iOS and iPadOSversion=unspecified <15.7; version=unspecified <16.6
Apple · tvOSversion=unspecified <16.6
Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <11.7; version=unspecified <12.6; version=unspecified <13.5
Apple · watchOSversion=unspecified <9.6

Published CVSS scores

9.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/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-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

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