CVE-2023-41976 – This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerabili... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2023-41976?

CVE-2023-41976 has a CVSS score of 8.8 (HIGH). This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerability in Apple's web content processing components that could allow arbitrary code execution when visiting malicious websites. It affects multiple Apple operating systems and Safari browser versions. Users of affected Apple devices and browsers are at risk.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerability in Apple's web content processing components that could allow arbitrary code execution when visiting malicious websites. It affects multiple Apple operating systems and Safari browser versions. Users of affected Apple devices and browsers are at risk.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

iOS
iPadOS
watchOS
macOS
Safari
tvOS

Versions: Versions prior to iOS 17.1, iPadOS 17.1, watchOS 10.1, iOS 16.7.2, iPadOS 16.7.2, macOS Sonoma 14.1, Safari 17.1, tvOS 17.1

Operating Systems: iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, macOS, tvOS

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: All default configurations of affected Apple devices and browsers are vulnerable. The vulnerability is triggered by processing malicious web content.

📦 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 →

Safari by Apple

View all CVEs affecting Safari →

Tvos by Apple

View all CVEs affecting Tvos →

Watchos by Apple

View all CVEs affecting Watchos →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete system compromise with attacker gaining full control of the device, potentially leading to data theft, ransomware deployment, or persistent backdoor installation.

🟠

Likely Case

Remote code execution leading to malware installation, credential theft, or device compromise when users visit malicious websites.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact with proper web filtering, network segmentation, and least privilege principles in place.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires user interaction (visiting malicious website) but no authentication. Use-after-free vulnerabilities typically require specific memory manipulation techniques.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: iOS 17.1, iPadOS 17.1, watchOS 10.1, iOS 16.7.2, iPadOS 16.7.2, macOS Sonoma 14.1, Safari 17.1, tvOS 17.1

Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213982

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Open Settings app. 2. Go to General > Software Update. 3. Download and install the latest available update. 4. Restart device when prompted.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable JavaScript

macOS

Temporarily disable JavaScript in Safari to prevent exploitation through web content.

Safari > Preferences > Security > Uncheck 'Enable JavaScript'

Use Alternative Browser

all

Use browsers not affected by this vulnerability until patches are applied.

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict web content filtering to block malicious sites
Segment network to isolate vulnerable devices and limit lateral movement

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check device version in Settings > General > About > Software Version

Check Version:

Settings > General > About > Software Version (iOS/iPadOS) or About This Mac > Software Update (macOS)

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify installed version matches or exceeds patched versions listed in fix_official.patch_version

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Safari/WebKit crash logs with memory access violations
Unexpected process creation from Safari/WebKit processes

Network Indicators:

Outbound connections to suspicious domains following web browsing
Unusual network traffic patterns from Apple devices

SIEM Query:

source="apple_device_logs" AND (process="Safari" OR process="WebKit") AND (event="crash" OR event="memory_violation")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2023-41976

CVSS v3 Score: 8.8 (HIGH)

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

CWE: CWE-416

Published: October 25, 2023

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2023/Oct/19 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2023/Oct/22 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2023/Oct/23 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2023/Oct/24 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2023/Oct/25 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2023/Oct/27 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213981 Release Notes,Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213982 Release Notes,Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213984 Release Notes,Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213986 Release Notes,Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213987 Release Notes,Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213988 Release Notes,Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT213984
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2023/Oct/19 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2023/Oct/22 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2023/Oct/23 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2023/Oct/24 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2023/Oct/25 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2023/Oct/27 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213981 Release Notes,Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213982 Release Notes,Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213984 Release Notes,Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213986 Release Notes,Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213987 Release Notes,Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213988 Release Notes,Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT213984

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