CVE-2023-41071

Kernel code execution via neural-engine use-after-free

Published Sep 26, 2023 · Updated Nov 4, 2025

Use-after-free in Apple Neural Engine across iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, watchOS, and macOS Ventura allows a local app to execute kernel code. The kernel component accesses an object after its memory has been freed; Apple has not disclosed the affected function or object. Exploitation requires a user to run an app on a device with Apple Neural Engine, after which attacker-controlled code executes with kernel privileges.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.35%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Use-after-free in Apple Neural Engine across iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, watchOS, and macOS Ventura allows a local app to execute kernel code. The kernel component accesses an object after its memory has been freed; Apple has not disclosed the affected function or object. Exploitation requires a user to run an app on a device with Apple Neural Engine, after which attacker-controlled code executes with kernel privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-41071
Published
Sep 26, 2023
Updated
Nov 4, 2025
Vendor
Apple
Product
iOS and iPadOS
Classifications
CWE-416, 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 <13.6
Apple · watchOSversion=unspecified <10

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 exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-416Use After Free
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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