Apple Multiple Products WebKit Code Execution
CVE-2023-41993 is a high-severity improper check for unusual or exceptional conditions vulnerability in macOS from Apple, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. The record lists versions 14, 14.0 as the first without the flaw, so updating macOS to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on September 25, 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 14 or 14.0, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update iphone_os to 17.0.1 or a later version.
- Update ipad_os to 17.0.1 or a later version.
- CISA's required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
- 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.
- Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | macOS | before 14; before 14.0 | 14, 14.0 |
| Apple | iphone_os | before 17.0.1 | 17.0.1 |
| Apple | ipad_os | before 17.0.1 | 17.0.1 |
| Fedora Project | fedora | 37; 38; 39 | Not stated |
| Debian | debian_linux | 11.0; 12.0 | Not stated |
| Oracle | graalvm | 20.3.13; 21.3.9 | Not stated |
| Oracle | jdk | 1.8.0 | Not stated |
| Oracle | jre | 1.8.0 | Not stated |
| NetApp | cloud_insights_acquisition_unit | all versions | Not stated |
| NetApp | cloud_insights_storage_workload_security_agent | all versions | Not stated |
| NetApp | oncommand_insight | all versions | Not stated |
| NetApp | oncommand_workflow_automation | all versions | Not stated |
| Apple | iPadOS | before 17.0.1 | 17.0.1 |
| NetApp | Active Iq Unified Manager | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Webkitgtk | Webkitgtk+ | before 2.42.2 | 2.42.2 |
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
- RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 | High | CISA (ADP) |
Official description
The issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in macOS Sonoma 14. Processing web content may lead to arbitrary code execution. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited against versions of iOS before iOS 16.7.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Check for Unusual or Exceptional Conditions
The product does not check or incorrectly checks for unusual or exceptional conditions that are not expected to occur frequently during day to day operation of the product.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use a language that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid. Choose languages with features such as exception handling that force the programmer to anticipate unusual conditions that may generate exceptions. Custom exceptions may need to be developed to handle unusual business-logic conditions. Be careful not to pass sensitive exceptions back to the user (CWE-209, CWE-248).
- Check the results of all functions that return a value and verify that the value is expected.
- If using exception handling, catch and throw specific exceptions instead of overly-general exceptions (CWE-396, CWE-397). Catch and handle exceptions as locally as possible so that exceptions do not propagate too far up the call stack (CWE-705). Avoid unchecked or uncaught exceptions where feasible (CWE-248).
More Improper Check for Unusual or Exceptional Conditions vulnerabilities (CWE-754)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue.
- Deadline for US federal agencies to remediate, set by CISA.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: active, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Third-party and government advisories
- security.gentoo.org/glsa/202401-33Third Party Advisory
- security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20240426-0004/Third Party Advisory
- webkitgtk.org/security/WSA-2023-0009.htmlThird Party Advisory
- cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-41993US Government Resource
Other vulnerabilities in macOS
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Improper Check for Unusual or Exceptional Conditions vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
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