CVE-2023-40452 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 09/27/2023
The issue was addressed with improved bounds checks. This issue is fixed in macOS Ventura 13.6, tvOS 17, macOS Monterey 12.7, watchOS 10, iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, macOS Sonoma 14. An app may be able to overwrite arbitrary files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/06/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical file system security flaw that emerged in Apple's operating systems, specifically affecting versions prior to the mentioned security updates. The issue stems from inadequate bounds checking mechanisms within the system's file handling operations, creating a pathway for malicious applications to exploit memory management weaknesses. The vulnerability allows an attacker-controlled application to potentially overwrite arbitrary files on the system, fundamentally compromising the integrity and confidentiality of stored data. This type of flaw falls under the category of buffer overflow vulnerabilities that can be leveraged for privilege escalation and persistent system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper validation of file system operations and memory boundaries during file access routines. When applications attempt to perform file operations, the system fails to adequately verify the legitimacy of the target file paths or the boundaries of memory allocations. This oversight creates a condition where an application can manipulate file system operations to target files outside of its intended scope, effectively bypassing normal access controls and file permissions. The flaw demonstrates a classic pattern of insufficient input validation and boundary checking that enables unauthorized file modification operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file overwrites, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks. An attacker could exploit this weakness to replace critical system files, modify configuration data, or inject malicious code into legitimate applications. The vulnerability affects multiple Apple platforms including macOS, iOS, watchOS, and tvOS, indicating a widespread system-level flaw that requires coordinated patching across all affected versions. This cross-platform nature suggests the vulnerability originates from shared kernel components or common file system APIs that are utilized across Apple's ecosystem, making the impact particularly severe given the interconnected nature of Apple's products.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with attack patterns documented in the ATT&CK framework under techniques such as file permission modification and privilege escalation. The ability to overwrite arbitrary files represents a significant compromise of system integrity and can enable persistent access to affected systems. Organizations and individual users must prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to prevent exploitation, as this vulnerability could be leveraged for data exfiltration, system compromise, or disruption of normal operations. The fix implemented in the security updates includes enhanced bounds checking mechanisms that validate file system operations and prevent out-of-bounds memory access patterns. This remediation addresses the core issue by strengthening the validation processes that govern file system interactions and ensuring that applications cannot bypass normal file access controls through memory manipulation techniques. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of robust input validation and memory management in preventing unauthorized system access and maintaining the security posture of operating systems.