CVE-2023-42970Network attack vector

Code execution via WebKit use-after-free

Published Apr 11, 2025 · Updated Feb 26, 2026

WebKit use-after-free in affected Apple operating systems and Safari allows remote attackers to execute code through crafted web content. WebKit releases an object while later web-content processing can still reference it; Apple has not disclosed the affected function or object type. Reaching the flaw requires processing attacker-controlled web content and user interaction; affected releases are iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and Safari before 17, macOS before 14, and watchOS before 10.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability0.56%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

WebKit use-after-free in affected Apple operating systems and Safari allows remote attackers to execute code through crafted web content. WebKit releases an object while later web-content processing can still reference it; Apple has not disclosed the affected function or object type. Reaching the flaw requires processing attacker-controlled web content and user interaction; affected releases are iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and Safari before 17, macOS before 14, and watchOS before 10.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-42970
Published
Apr 11, 2025
Updated
Feb 26, 2026
Vendor
Apple
Product
iOS and iPadOS
Classifications
CWE-416, T1203
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 11, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Feb 26, 2026Record 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 <17

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · iOS and iPadOSversion=unspecified <17
Apple · Safariversion=unspecified <17
Apple · tvOSversion=unspecified <17
Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <14
Apple · watchOSversion=unspecified <10

Published CVSS scores

8.8CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:N/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 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-416Use After Free
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.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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