CVE-2023-42899

Arbitrary code execution via image processing

Published Dec 12, 2023 · Updated Nov 4, 2025

Arbitrary code execution in Apple iOS and iPadOS before 17.2 allows local users to execute code via a maliciously crafted image. The affected ImageIO component performs unsafe memory handling while processing image data; Apple has not publicly identified a more specific function or parsing operation. Exploitation requires a local user or application to cause image processing, and the consequence is code execution in the processing context, potentially affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.43%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Arbitrary code execution in Apple iOS and iPadOS before 17.2 allows local users to execute code via a maliciously crafted image. The affected ImageIO component performs unsafe memory handling while processing image data; Apple has not publicly identified a more specific function or parsing operation. Exploitation requires a local user or application to cause image processing, and the consequence is code execution in the processing context, potentially affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-42899
Published
Dec 12, 2023
Updated
Nov 4, 2025
Vendor
Apple
Product
iOS and iPadOS
Classifications
T1203
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 12, 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 <17.2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · iOS and iPadOSversion=unspecified <16.7; version=unspecified <17.2
Apple · tvOSversion=unspecified <17.2
Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <12.7; version=unspecified <13.6; version=unspecified <14.2
Apple · watchOSversion=unspecified <10.2

Published CVSS scores

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 exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

T1203Exploitation for Client Execution

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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