CVE-2023-41981

Kernel memory mitigation bypass via undisclosed memory handling

Published Sep 26, 2023 · Updated Nov 4, 2025

Kernel memory handling in Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS allows attackers with kernel code execution to bypass memory mitigations. Apple identifies the locus only as the Kernel component and states that improved memory handling corrected the issue; no finer-grained operation is public. Attackers must already control kernel execution, so the flaw weakens post-compromise defenses rather than providing initial code execution.

CVSS severity4.4
Medium
EPSS probability0.36%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Kernel memory handling in Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS allows attackers with kernel code execution to bypass memory mitigations. Apple identifies the locus only as the Kernel component and states that improved memory handling corrected the issue; no finer-grained operation is public. Attackers must already control kernel execution, so the flaw weakens post-compromise defenses rather than providing initial code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-41981
Published
Sep 26, 2023
Updated
Nov 4, 2025
Vendor
Apple
Product
iOS and iPadOS
Classifications
T1562.001
Attack vector
local
Privileges
admin

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 <16.7
  2. Affected versionversion=unspecified <17

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

Apple · iOS and iPadOSversion=unspecified <16.7; version=unspecified <17
Apple · tvOSversion=unspecified <17
Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <13.6; version=unspecified <14
Apple · watchOSversion=unspecified <10

Published CVSS scores

4.4NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/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 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

T1562.001Impair Defenses: Disable or Modify Tools

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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