CVE-2023-42881

Code execution via AppleVA file processing

Published Jan 23, 2024 · Updated Nov 4, 2025

Memory corruption in AppleVA in Apple macOS before 14.2 allows attackers to crash an app or execute arbitrary code by processing a file. Apple identifies faulty memory handling in AppleVA but has not disclosed the affected parser, memory operation, or file format. Exploitation requires local file processing and user interaction; successful execution can run attacker-controlled code in the affected app's context.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.22%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Memory corruption in AppleVA in Apple macOS before 14.2 allows attackers to crash an app or execute arbitrary code by processing a file. Apple identifies faulty memory handling in AppleVA but has not disclosed the affected parser, memory operation, or file format. Exploitation requires local file processing and user interaction; successful execution can run attacker-controlled code in the affected app's context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-42881
Published
Jan 23, 2024
Updated
Nov 4, 2025
Vendor
Apple
Product
macOS
Classifications
CWE-119, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 23, 2024CVE 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 <14.2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <14.2

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.

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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-119Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer
T1204.002Malicious File

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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