CVE-2023-41076Network attack vector

Privilege escalation through undisclosed Windows Installer flaw

Published Apr 11, 2025 · Updated Feb 26, 2026

Privilege escalation in Apple macOS before 14 allows attackers to gain elevated privileges through the Windows Installer component. Apple identifies the affected locus only as Windows Installer and says the vulnerable code was removed, but does not disclose the unsafe operation. Execution of an attacker-controlled app and user interaction are required; successful exploitation elevates that app's privileges without a reported availability impact.

CVSS severity7.3
High
EPSS probability0.28%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Privilege escalation in Apple macOS before 14 allows attackers to gain elevated privileges through the Windows Installer component. Apple identifies the affected locus only as Windows Installer and says the vulnerable code was removed, but does not disclose the unsafe operation. Execution of an attacker-controlled app and user interaction are required; successful exploitation elevates that app's privileges without a reported availability impact.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-41076
Published
Apr 11, 2025
Updated
Feb 26, 2026
Vendor
Apple
Product
macOS
Classifications
CWE-269, T1068
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 11, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Feb 26, 2026Record 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 <14

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <14

Published CVSS scores

7.3CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N

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)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-269Improper Privilege Management
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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