CVE-2023-40400Network attack vector

Remote code execution via undisclosed libpcap checks

Published Sep 26, 2023 · Updated Nov 4, 2025

Code execution in libpcap in iOS and iPadOS before 17, tvOS before 17, watchOS before 10, and macOS before 14 allows remote attackers to execute code. Apple has not disclosed the specific libpcap check, packet field, or malformed input that is handled incorrectly. Network access without authentication is sufficient; an exploit can terminate the affected app or execute code in its process.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability1.76%
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 libpcap in iOS and iPadOS before 17, tvOS before 17, watchOS before 10, and macOS before 14 allows remote attackers to execute code. Apple has not disclosed the specific libpcap check, packet field, or malformed input that is handled incorrectly. Network access without authentication is sufficient; an exploit can terminate the affected app or execute code in its process.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-40400
Published
Sep 26, 2023
Updated
Nov 4, 2025
Vendor
Apple
Product
iOS and iPadOS
Classifications
T1203
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 26, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Nov 4, 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 <17

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · iOS and iPadOSversion=unspecified <17
Apple · tvOSversion=unspecified <17
Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <14
Apple · watchOSversion=unspecified <10

Published CVSS scores

9.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
9.8CISA-ADPCVSS: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)
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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