CVE-2023-41064Known exploitation

Arbitrary code execution via ImageIO buffer overflow

Published Sep 7, 2023 · Updated Nov 4, 2025

A buffer overflow in ImageIO in Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted image. Apple has not disclosed the exact ImageIO parser or memory operation; it states that improved memory handling corrected the overflow. In the observed iOS exploit chain, an iMessage-delivered PassKit image triggered processing without user interaction and installed Pegasus spyware.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability45.06%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationReported
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

A buffer overflow in ImageIO in Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted image. Apple has not disclosed the exact ImageIO parser or memory operation; it states that improved memory handling corrected the overflow. In the observed iOS exploit chain, an iMessage-delivered PassKit image triggered processing without user interaction and installed Pegasus spyware.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-41064
Published
Sep 7, 2023
Updated
Nov 4, 2025
Vendor
Apple
Product
iOS and iPadOS
Classifications
CWE-120, 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. 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 <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 · macOSversion=unspecified <11.7; version=unspecified <12.6; version=unspecified <13.5

Published CVSS scores

7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.8CISA-ADPCVSS: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-120Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow')
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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