CVE-2023-40423

Kernel code execution in IOTextEncryptionFamily

Published Oct 25, 2023 · Updated Feb 13, 2025

Memory corruption in Apple IOTextEncryptionFamily in affected iOS, iPadOS, and macOS releases allows attackers to execute kernel code. Apple identifies deficient memory handling in IOTextEncryptionFamily but does not disclose the faulty operation or attacker-controlled input. Exploitation requires an app to run locally, after which arbitrary code executes with kernel privileges and can fully compromise the device.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.45%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Memory corruption in Apple IOTextEncryptionFamily in affected iOS, iPadOS, and macOS releases allows attackers to execute kernel code. Apple identifies deficient memory handling in IOTextEncryptionFamily but does not disclose the faulty operation or attacker-controlled input. Exploitation requires an app to run locally, after which arbitrary code executes with kernel privileges and can fully compromise the device.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-40423
Published
Oct 25, 2023
Updated
Feb 13, 2025
Vendor
Apple
Product
iOS and iPadOS
Classifications
CWE-119, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Oct 25, 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=0 <16.7
  2. Affected versionversion=0 <17.1
  3. Affected versionversion=unspecified <16.7
  4. Affected versionversion=unspecified <17.1

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · iOS and iPadOSversion=0 <16.7; version=0 <17.1; version=unspecified <16.7; version=unspecified <17.1
Apple · macOSversion=0 <12.7; version=0 <13.6; version=0 <14.1; version=unspecified <12.7; version=unspecified <13.6; version=unspecified <14.1

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.

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-119Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer
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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