CVE-2023-41992
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a privilege escalation vulnerability in Apple operating systems that allows local attackers to gain elevated privileges. It affects macOS Monterey, iOS, and iPadOS before specific patch versions. Apple has confirmed this vulnerability was actively exploited in the wild against pre-patch iOS versions.
💻 Affected Systems
- macOS Monterey
- iOS
- iPadOS
- macOS Ventura
📦 What is this software?
Ipados by Apple
Ipados by Apple
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 →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
Local attacker gains root/system-level privileges, enabling complete system compromise, data theft, persistence mechanisms, and lateral movement.
Likely Case
Local user or malware with initial access escalates privileges to install persistent backdoors, access protected data, or bypass security controls.
If Mitigated
With proper patching and least privilege principles, impact is limited to isolated user sessions without system-wide compromise.
🎯 Exploit Status
Apple confirmed active exploitation in the wild. Requires local access but exploit complexity appears low based on CVSS and Apple's urgency.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: macOS Monterey 12.7, iOS 16.7, iPadOS 16.7, macOS Ventura 13.6
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213927
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Settings/System Preferences. 2. Navigate to Software Update. 3. Install available updates. 4. Restart device when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
No effective workarounds
allThis is a kernel-level vulnerability requiring patching. No configuration changes mitigate the core issue.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict physical and remote access to affected devices
- Implement strict application control and monitoring for privilege escalation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check system version: macOS - About This Mac; iOS/iPadOS - Settings > General > AboutCheck Version:
macOS: sw_vers -productVersion; iOS/iPadOS: Not available via command line (check Settings)Verify Fix Applied:
Verify version is equal to or newer than: macOS Monterey 12.7, iOS 16.7, iPadOS 16.7, macOS Ventura 13.6📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected privilege escalation events
- Kernel extension loading anomalies
- Processes running with unexpected privileges
Network Indicators:
- None (local exploit only)
SIEM Query:
Process creation events where parent process unexpectedly spawns child with higher privileges🔗 References
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213927
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213931
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213932
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213927
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213931
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213932
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT213927
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT213932
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-41992
