Apple Multiple Products WebKit Type Confusion
CVE-2024-23222 is a high-severity access of resource using incompatible type vulnerability in Safari 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 version 17.3 as the first without the flaw, so updating Safari to that release or later removes the exposure. CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on January 23, 2024, which means attacks have been observed in the wild.
Attackers are already exploiting this vulnerability, according to CISA.
What to do
- Update Safari to 17.3 or a later version.
- Update iOS and iPadOS to 15.8.7 or 16.7.5 or 17.3, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update macOS to 12.7.3 or 13.6.4 or 14.3, whichever matches your release line, 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 | Safari | before 17.3 | 17.3 |
| Apple | iOS and iPadOS | before 15.8.7; before 16.7.5; before 17.3 | 15.8.7, 16.7.5, 17.3 |
| Apple | macOS | before 12.7.3; before 13.6.4; before 14.3 | 12.7.3, 13.6.4, 14.3 |
| Apple | tvOS | before 17.3 | 17.3 |
| Apple | visionOS | before 1.0.2 | 1.0.2 |
| Apple | iPadOS | before 15.8.7; 16.0 up to, but not including, 16.7.5; 17.0 up to, but not including, 17.3 | 15.8.7, 16.7.5, 17.3 |
| Apple | Iphone OS | before 15.8.7; 16.0 up to, but not including, 16.7.5; 17.0 up to, but not including, 17.3 | 15.8.7, 16.7.5, 17.3 |
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
A type confusion issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in Safari 17.3, iOS 15.8.7 and iPadOS 15.8.7, iOS 16.7.5 and iPadOS 16.7.5, iOS 17.3 and iPadOS 17.3, macOS Monterey 12.7.3, macOS Sonoma 14.3, macOS Ventura 13.6.4, tvOS 17.3, visionOS 1.0.2. Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution. This fix associated with the Coruna exploit was shipped in iOS 17.3 on January 22, 2024. This update brings that fix to devices that cannot update to the latest iOS version.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Access of Resource Using Incompatible Type
The product allocates or initializes a resource such as a pointer, object, or variable using one type, but it later accesses that resource using a type that is incompatible with the original type.
More Access of Resource Using Incompatible Type vulnerabilities (CWE-843)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: active, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Deadline for US federal agencies to remediate, set by CISA.
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
- support.apple.com/en-us/118479Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/120304Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/120305Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/120307Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/120309Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/120310Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/120311Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/120339Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/126632Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/HT214055Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/HT214059Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/HT214061Release Notes
- support.apple.com/kb/HT214055Release Notes
- support.apple.com/kb/HT214056Release Notes
- support.apple.com/kb/HT214057Release Notes
Third-party and government advisories
- seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Feb/6Third Party Advisory
- seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Jan/34Third Party Advisory
- seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Jan/40Third Party Advisory
- cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2024-23222US Government Resource
Other vulnerabilities in Safari
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
Recent Access of Resource Using Incompatible Type vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
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