CVE-2023-41990Known exploitation

Code execution via mishandled FontParser caches

Published Sep 11, 2023 · Updated Oct 21, 2025

Code execution in FontParser across Apple operating systems allows context-dependent attackers to execute code through a crafted font file. FontParser mishandles internal caches while processing attacker-controlled font data, but Apple has not disclosed the specific cache operation or memory-safety failure. Reaching the flaw requires font processing and user interaction; exploitation has been observed on iOS before 15.7.1, while effects on other platforms remain code execution.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability1.39%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationReported
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Code execution in FontParser across Apple operating systems allows context-dependent attackers to execute code through a crafted font file. FontParser mishandles internal caches while processing attacker-controlled font data, but Apple has not disclosed the specific cache operation or memory-safety failure. Reaching the flaw requires font processing and user interaction; exploitation has been observed on iOS before 15.7.1, while effects on other platforms remain code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-41990
Published
Sep 11, 2023
Updated
Oct 21, 2025
Vendor
Apple
Product
iOS and iPadOS
Classifications
T1203
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 11, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Jan 8, 2024Exploitation 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=unspecified <15.7
  2. Affected versionversion=unspecified <16.3

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · iOS and iPadOSversion=unspecified <15.7; version=unspecified <16.3
Apple · tvOSversion=unspecified <16.3
Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <11.7; version=unspecified <12.6; version=unspecified <13.2
Apple · watchOSversion=unspecified <9.3

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 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationReported
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

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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