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CVE-2023-27967

8.6 HIGH

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability in Xcode allows malicious apps to execute arbitrary code outside their sandbox or with elevated privileges. It affects developers using Xcode on macOS to build applications. The issue stems from improper memory handling that can be exploited to bypass security restrictions.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:
  • Xcode
Versions: Versions before 14.3
Operating Systems: macOS
Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes
Notes: Only affects macOS systems where Xcode is installed and used to build or run applications.

📦 What is this software?

Xcode by Apple

View all CVEs affecting Xcode →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

An attacker could gain full system control, install persistent malware, access sensitive data, or compromise other applications on the system.

🟠

Likely Case

Malicious apps distributed through unofficial channels could escape sandbox restrictions to access user data, keychain items, or system resources.

🟢

If Mitigated

With proper app vetting and sandboxing, impact is limited to isolated app compromise without system-wide access.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Xcode is a development tool not typically exposed to internet traffic.
🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Risk exists primarily for developers running untrusted code or projects from untrusted sources.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No
Weaponized: UNKNOWN
Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No
Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires running a maliciously crafted application or project within Xcode. No public exploit details available.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Xcode 14.3

Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213679

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Open App Store on macOS 2. Search for Xcode 3. Click Update to install Xcode 14.3 or later 4. Restart system after installation

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Restrict Xcode Usage

all

Limit Xcode usage to trusted projects only and avoid running untrusted code

🧯 If You Can't Patch

  • Isolate Xcode to dedicated development machines with minimal privileges
  • Implement application allowlisting to prevent execution of untrusted applications

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Open Xcode → About Xcode → Check if version is earlier than 14.3

Check Version:

xcodebuild -version

Verify Fix Applied:

Confirm Xcode version is 14.3 or later in About Xcode dialog

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

  • Unusual process spawning from Xcode
  • Sandbox violation logs
  • Unexpected privilege escalation

Network Indicators:

  • Unusual outbound connections from Xcode processes

SIEM Query:

process_name:Xcode AND (event_type:privilege_escalation OR event_type:sandbox_violation)

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2023-27967
CVSS v3 Score: 8.6 (HIGH)
CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Published: May 8, 2023
Last Updated: January 29, 2025

🔗 References

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