CVE-2023-40409

App-to-kernel arbitrary code execution

Published Sep 26, 2023 · Updated Nov 4, 2025

A memory-handling flaw in Apple Neural Engine on iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, macOS, and watchOS allows local users to execute code with kernel privileges. Apple describes only improved memory handling and has not disclosed the faulty operation or attacker-controlled input that triggers it. Exploitation requires a user to run an app on an affected device; affected releases precede iOS 17, iPadOS 17, tvOS 17, watchOS 10, macOS Monterey 12.7, or macOS Ventura 13.6.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.34%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

A memory-handling flaw in Apple Neural Engine on iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, macOS, and watchOS allows local users to execute code with kernel privileges. Apple describes only improved memory handling and has not disclosed the faulty operation or attacker-controlled input that triggers it. Exploitation requires a user to run an app on an affected device; affected releases precede iOS 17, iPadOS 17, tvOS 17, watchOS 10, macOS Monterey 12.7, or macOS Ventura 13.6.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-40409
Published
Sep 26, 2023
Updated
Nov 4, 2025
Vendor
Apple
Product
iOS and iPadOS
Classifications
T1068
Attack vector
local
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 vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · iOS and iPadOSversion=unspecified <17
Apple · tvOSversion=unspecified <17
Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <12.7; version=unspecified <13.6
Apple · watchOSversion=unspecified <10

Published CVSS scores

7.8CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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.

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

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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