CVE-2023-40448 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 09/27/2023
The issue was addressed with improved handling of protocols. This issue is fixed in tvOS 17, iOS 16.7 and iPadOS 16.7, watchOS 10, iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, macOS Sonoma 14. A remote attacker may be able to break out of Web Content sandbox.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-40448 represents a significant sandbox escape flaw in Apple's operating systems that affects multiple platform versions including iOS 16.7, iPadOS 16.7, tvOS 17, watchOS 10, iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and macOS Sonoma 14. This issue specifically targets the web content sandbox mechanism that serves as a critical security boundary between web content and the underlying operating system. The vulnerability stems from inadequate protocol handling that allows malicious actors to exploit weaknesses in how the system processes web-based content and network protocols. The flaw exists within the fundamental security architecture that isolates web content execution from system resources and user data, creating a potential pathway for unauthorized access and privilege escalation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves sophisticated exploitation techniques that leverage protocol parsing inconsistencies within Apple's web content rendering engines. Attackers can craft malicious web content or manipulate network protocols to bypass the sandbox restrictions that normally prevent web-based code from accessing sensitive system resources or executing privileged operations. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-254 category of security misconfigurations and represents a critical failure in the principle of least privilege enforcement. The attack vector typically involves remote code execution through web browsers or web-based applications that process untrusted content, allowing threat actors to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to system resources that should remain isolated from web content.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-40448 extends beyond simple sandbox bypass to potentially enable full system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. Once an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can access sensitive user data, system files, and potentially establish persistent access to affected devices. The implications are particularly severe given that the vulnerability affects multiple Apple platforms including mobile devices, smartwatches, and desktop operating systems, creating a widespread attack surface. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK tactics including privilege escalation, defense evasion, and initial access, making it a particularly dangerous threat vector for both individual users and enterprise environments. The affected platforms represent critical user touchpoints that handle sensitive personal and corporate information, amplifying the potential impact of successful exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-40448 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment across all affected Apple platforms, with system administrators prioritizing updates to the latest versions that contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain comprehensive backup procedures to ensure rapid recovery in case of successful attacks. Additional protective measures include implementing web content filtering solutions, restricting access to untrusted websites, and maintaining strict update policies for all Apple operating systems. The vulnerability highlights the importance of continuous security monitoring and rapid response capabilities, as the exploitation of sandbox escape vulnerabilities often occurs with minimal detection time. Security teams should also consider implementing behavioral monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous activities consistent with sandbox bypass attempts, particularly focusing on unusual network connections or file access patterns that may indicate exploitation.