Apple Multiple Products WebKit Sandbox Escape
CVE-2023-32409 is a high-severity vulnerability in macOS from Apple, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.6 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 13.4 as the first without the flaw, so updating macOS to that release or later removes the exposure. CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on May 22, 2023, which means attacks have been observed in the wild.
Attackers are already exploiting this vulnerability, according to CISA.
What to do
- Update macOS to 13.4 or a later version.
- Update Safari to 16.5 or a later version.
- Update watchOS to 9.5 or a later version.
- CISA's required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
- Read the advisory on support.apple.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | macOS | before 13.4 | 13.4 |
| Apple | Safari | before 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Apple | watchOS | before 9.5 | 9.5 |
| Apple | iOS and iPadOS | before 15.7; before 16.5 | 15.7, 16.5 |
| Apple | tvOS | before 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Apple | iPadOS | 15.0 up to, but not including, 15.7.8; 16.0 up to, but not including, 16.5 | 15.7.8, 16.5 |
| Apple | Iphone OS | 15.0 up to, but not including, 15.7.8; 16.0 up to, but not including, 16.5 | 15.7.8, 16.5 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- Confidentiality
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:N. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.6 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.6 | High | CISA (ADP) |
Official description
The issue was addressed with improved bounds checks. This issue is fixed in watchOS 9.5, tvOS 16.5, macOS Ventura 13.4, iOS 15.7.8 and iPadOS 15.7.8, Safari 16.5, iOS 16.5 and iPadOS 16.5. A remote attacker may be able to break out of Web Content sandbox. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
Timeline
- Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue.
- Deadline for US federal agencies to remediate, set by CISA.
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: active, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Third-party and government advisories
- cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-32409US Government Resource
Other vulnerabilities in macOS
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- 7.5 High severity
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- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
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