CVE-2023-40528 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 01/23/2024
This issue was addressed by removing the vulnerable code. This issue is fixed in tvOS 17, watchOS 10, macOS Sonoma 14, iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, macOS Ventura 13.6.4. An app may be able to bypass Privacy preferences.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2025
This vulnerability represents a significant privacy escalation issue affecting Apple's ecosystem across multiple operating systems including tvOS, watchOS, macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. The flaw allowed malicious applications to circumvent the established privacy controls and preferences that users had configured to protect their personal data. The vulnerability was specifically addressed through the complete removal of the problematic code implementation, indicating the severity of the privacy bypass mechanism that had been present in the affected versions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with common privacy preference bypass patterns found in mobile and desktop operating systems where applications can gain unauthorized access to user data through improper privilege handling or flawed access control mechanisms. The issue demonstrates how even well-established privacy frameworks can be compromised when underlying code implementations contain exploitable logic that allows unauthorized data access. This type of vulnerability typically falls under the category of privilege escalation attacks where applications can operate beyond their intended permissions and access user data that should remain protected by system-level privacy controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data access concerns as it fundamentally undermines user trust in the privacy protections provided by Apple's operating systems. When applications can bypass privacy preferences, users lose confidence in their ability to control their personal information, which represents a critical failure in the security model of these platforms. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Apple devices and operating systems, indicating that the flaw was likely present at a system level rather than being isolated to specific applications or device types. This widespread impact necessitated immediate attention and patching across multiple software versions including the newly released tvOS 17, watchOS 10, macOS Sonoma 14, iOS 17, and iPadOS 17, as well as the macOS Ventura 13.6.4 update.
The remediation approach of complete code removal rather than patching suggests that the vulnerability was deeply embedded in the system architecture and could not be effectively addressed through targeted fixes. This approach aligns with industry best practices for critical privacy vulnerabilities where the safest solution is often complete elimination of the flawed implementation. The vulnerability's classification under privacy preference bypass mechanisms connects it to established security frameworks that emphasize user consent and data protection. Organizations implementing security measures should consider how such vulnerabilities could impact their own privacy controls and data handling practices, particularly when dealing with user consent and access control systems.
The resolution of this vulnerability through version updates demonstrates Apple's commitment to maintaining robust privacy controls in their operating systems. The fix required coordinated updates across multiple platforms, indicating the complexity of the underlying issue and the importance of maintaining consistent security standards throughout the Apple ecosystem. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of privacy controls in modern operating systems and the potential consequences when these controls can be bypassed by malicious applications. The remediation process also highlights the need for continuous monitoring and updating of privacy protection mechanisms to address emerging threats and vulnerabilities in system architectures.