CVE-2023-32385 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 06/23/2023
A denial-of-service issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in iOS 16.5 and iPadOS 16.5, macOS Ventura 13.4. Opening a PDF file may lead to unexpected app termination.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2023-32385 represents a denial-of-service condition affecting Apple's mobile and desktop operating systems through improper memory management during PDF processing. This issue manifests when users open specific PDF files, causing applications to terminate unexpectedly and potentially disrupting normal workflow operations. The flaw resides in how the affected systems handle memory allocation and deallocation when processing certain PDF documents, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged to disrupt system availability.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-401, which describes improper handling of memory allocation failures, and specifically relates to memory management issues that can lead to application crashes or system instability. When a maliciously crafted PDF file is opened, the memory handling mechanisms fail to properly manage the allocated resources, resulting in memory corruption or exhaustion that triggers application termination. This behavior constitutes a classic denial-of-service scenario where legitimate users experience disruption due to improper resource management within the PDF rendering subsystem.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations relying on Apple devices for document processing and collaboration activities. The impact extends beyond individual user inconvenience to potential business disruption, particularly in environments where PDF documents are frequently exchanged and processed. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness by distributing malicious PDF files through social engineering campaigns or automated delivery mechanisms, leading to widespread service disruption across affected systems. The vulnerability affects multiple Apple platforms including iOS 16.5, iPadOS 16.5, and macOS Ventura 13.4, indicating a systemic issue within Apple's document processing frameworks.
The remediation strategy for this vulnerability involves applying the security updates released by Apple as part of iOS 16.5, iPadOS 16.5, and macOS Ventura 13.4. Organizations should prioritize deployment of these updates across all affected systems to eliminate the risk of exploitation. Additionally, implementing network-based controls such as PDF content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms can provide additional defense-in-depth layers. Security teams should monitor for any indicators of exploitation attempts and maintain awareness of potential related vulnerabilities that may emerge from similar memory handling issues. The fix addresses the root cause by improving memory allocation handling and implementing better error recovery mechanisms within the PDF processing components, preventing the conditions that previously led to application termination.
This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in document processing systems and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers "Utilities: Endpoint Denial of Service." The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of the updated systems to ensure that the memory handling improvements function correctly and that no regressions have been introduced in the PDF rendering capabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to raise awareness about the risks of opening untrusted PDF files and the importance of keeping systems updated with the latest security patches.