CVE-2023-41061Known exploitation

Zero-click code execution via malformed Wallet attachment

Published Sep 7, 2023 · Updated Oct 21, 2025

Improper input validation in Apple Wallet on iOS and iPadOS before 16.6.1 and watchOS before 9.6.2 allows attackers to execute code. Wallet applies insufficient validation to a crafted PassKit attachment containing a malicious image before processing it, enabling arbitrary code execution. Observed attacks delivered the attachment through iMessage without user interaction as part of a two-vulnerability chain that installed Pegasus spyware.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability3.78%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationReported
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper input validation in Apple Wallet on iOS and iPadOS before 16.6.1 and watchOS before 9.6.2 allows attackers to execute code. Wallet applies insufficient validation to a crafted PassKit attachment containing a malicious image before processing it, enabling arbitrary code execution. Observed attacks delivered the attachment through iMessage without user interaction as part of a two-vulnerability chain that installed Pegasus spyware.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-41061
Published
Sep 7, 2023
Updated
Oct 21, 2025
Vendor
Apple
Product
iOS
Classifications
CWE-20, T1203
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 7, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 11, 2023Exploitation reportedCISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities listing
  3. Oct 21, 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 <16.6.1

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · iOSversion=0 <16.6.1
Apple · iOS and iPadOSversion=unspecified <16.6
Apple · iPadOSversion=0 <16.6.1
Apple · watchOSversion=0 <9.6.2; version=unspecified <9.6

Published CVSS scores

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

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-20Improper Input Validation
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.

Reported exploitation

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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