CVE-2023-27957 – This CVE describes a buffer overflow vulnerabil... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2023-27957?

CVE-2023-27957 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This CVE describes a buffer overflow vulnerability in macOS that could allow arbitrary code execution when processing malicious files. It affects macOS systems before Ventura 13.3. Attackers could exploit this to crash applications or take control of affected systems.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a buffer overflow vulnerability in macOS that could allow arbitrary code execution when processing malicious files. It affects macOS systems before Ventura 13.3. Attackers could exploit this to crash applications or take control of affected systems.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

macOS

Versions: Versions before macOS Ventura 13.3

Operating Systems: macOS

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: All default macOS installations before Ventura 13.3 are vulnerable when processing files.

📦 What is this software?

Macos by Apple

macOS is Apple's desktop and laptop operating system powering Mac computers used by millions of professionals, developers, creative professionals, and enterprise users worldwide. Built on a Unix foundation with the Darwin kernel and modern Cocoa frameworks, macOS delivers a seamless ecosystem integr...

Learn more about Macos →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Remote code execution with system-level privileges leading to complete system compromise.

🟠

Likely Case

Application crashes (denial of service) or limited code execution in user context.

🟢

If Mitigated

No impact if patched; limited to application sandbox if exploited.

🌐 Internet-Facing: MEDIUM - Requires user interaction to open malicious file but could be delivered via web or email.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Similar risk internally if users open malicious files from network shares or emails.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires user interaction to open malicious file; no public exploit code known.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: macOS Ventura 13.3 or later

Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213670

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Open System Settings 2. Click General 3. Click Software Update 4. Install macOS Ventura 13.3 or later 5. Restart when prompted

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Restrict file processing

all

Limit file processing to trusted sources only

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement application whitelisting to restrict which applications can open files
Use network segmentation to isolate vulnerable systems and monitor for suspicious file transfers

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check macOS version: if earlier than Ventura 13.3, system is vulnerable

Check Version:

sw_vers

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify macOS version is Ventura 13.3 or later

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Application crash logs for affected processes
Console logs showing unexpected process termination

Network Indicators:

Unusual outbound connections from macOS systems after file processing

SIEM Query:

source="macos" AND (event="process_crash" OR event="application_terminated")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2023-27957

CVSS v3 Score: 7.8 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-120

Published: May 8, 2023

Last Updated: January 29, 2025

🔗 References

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213670 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213670 Vendor Advisory

📤 Share & Export

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