CVE-2023-42849

Kernel mitigation bypass after kernel code execution

Published Oct 25, 2023 · Updated Feb 13, 2025

A kernel memory-handling flaw in Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS allows attackers to bypass kernel memory mitigations. Apple identifies the kernel as the affected component and says improved memory handling resolved the issue, but it does not disclose the faulty operation or memory object. Exploitation requires prior kernel code execution; the reported consequence is limited to defeating kernel memory mitigations.

CVSS severity6.5
Medium
EPSS probability1.35%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

A kernel memory-handling flaw in Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS allows attackers to bypass kernel memory mitigations. Apple identifies the kernel as the affected component and says improved memory handling resolved the issue, but it does not disclose the faulty operation or memory object. Exploitation requires prior kernel code execution; the reported consequence is limited to defeating kernel memory mitigations.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-42849
Published
Oct 25, 2023
Updated
Feb 13, 2025
Vendor
Apple
Product
iOS and iPadOS
Classifications
CWE-119, T1211
Attack vector
Unavailable
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Oct 25, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Feb 13, 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 <17.1

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorUnavailable in this record.
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

Apple · iOS and iPadOSversion=unspecified <16.7; version=unspecified <17.1
Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <12.7; version=unspecified <13.6; version=unspecified <14.1
Apple · watchOSversion=unspecified <10.1

Published CVSS scores

6.5NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/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 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
VectorUnavailable
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-119Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer
T1211Exploitation for Defense Evasion

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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