CVE-2023-40441 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 09/27/2023
A resource exhaustion issue was addressed with improved input validation. This issue is fixed in iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, macOS Sonoma 14. Processing web content may lead to a denial-of-service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-40441 represents a resource exhaustion flaw that affects Apple's mobile and desktop operating systems. This issue stems from insufficient input validation during web content processing, creating a potential denial-of-service condition that could be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically impacts iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, as well as macOS Sonoma 14, indicating a widespread concern across Apple's ecosystem. The flaw manifests when the system processes certain web content that triggers excessive resource consumption, ultimately leading to system instability or complete service disruption.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-400, which categorizes resource exhaustion issues as a fundamental weakness in software design. The flaw occurs during the web content processing pipeline where the system fails to properly validate incoming data streams, allowing malformed or specially crafted inputs to consume excessive memory or CPU resources. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK framework's T1499.004 technique, which covers network denial of service attacks through resource exhaustion. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be executed through standard web browsing activities, making it particularly dangerous in real-world scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-40441 extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can potentially affect user productivity and system reliability across Apple devices. When exploited, the vulnerability could cause applications to crash or become unresponsive, forcing users to restart their devices and potentially lose unsaved work. The issue is particularly concerning for enterprise environments where Apple devices are extensively used, as it could lead to widespread service interruptions. Additionally, the vulnerability's presence in both iOS and macOS versions indicates that attackers could target users across multiple platforms, increasing the attack surface and potential impact.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate system updates and ongoing monitoring of device performance. Apple's release of patches for iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and macOS Sonoma 14 provides the primary defense against exploitation, as these updates implement improved input validation mechanisms. Organizations should prioritize deployment of these security updates across all affected devices to minimize exposure. Network administrators should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual resource consumption patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a resource exhaustion issue also suggests implementing rate limiting and input sanitization measures at network boundaries to provide additional defense layers. Regular security assessments and user education about safe browsing practices can further reduce the risk of successful exploitation, particularly in environments where users may encounter malicious web content.