CVE-2023-41983 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
The issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Sonoma 14.1, Safari 17.1, iOS 16.7.2 and iPadOS 16.7.2, iOS 17.1 and iPadOS 17.1. Processing web content may lead to a denial-of-service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-41983 represents a memory handling flaw that affects Apple's web browser ecosystem across multiple operating systems. This issue specifically targets the processing of web content within Safari and related browsers, where improper memory management can lead to system instability. The vulnerability was addressed through enhanced memory handling mechanisms that prevent malicious or malformed web content from triggering unintended system behavior. The fix was implemented across Apple's ecosystem with releases including macOS Sonoma 14.1, Safari 17.1, and iOS/iPadOS versions 16.7.2 and 17.1, demonstrating Apple's proactive approach to maintaining browser security and system stability.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under memory management deficiencies that can be exploited to cause denial-of-service conditions. When processing web content, the affected browsers may encounter situations where memory allocation or deallocation procedures fail to handle specific input patterns correctly. This type of vulnerability commonly maps to CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array indices, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. The flaw likely manifests when browsers attempt to render complex web pages containing malformed data structures that trigger memory corruption during parsing or rendering phases. Such issues typically arise from inadequate bounds checking or improper memory deallocation procedures that fail to account for edge cases in web content processing.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-41983 extends beyond simple browser instability, as denial-of-service conditions can disrupt user productivity and potentially provide attackers with opportunities to escalate their influence. When exploited, this vulnerability allows malicious web content to force browsers into unstable states where they may crash or become unresponsive, effectively denying users access to web services. From an attacker perspective, this represents a low-effort vector for disrupting user experience, as the exploitation requires only the delivery of specially crafted web content to the affected browsers. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where browser stability directly affects business operations and user access to critical applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate deployment of the patched versions released by Apple, ensuring all affected systems receive the necessary security updates. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to maintain system integrity across all browser installations, including mobile devices and desktop systems. Network administrators should also consider implementing web filtering solutions that can block access to known malicious domains and monitor for suspicious web content patterns that might trigger the vulnerability. The fix addresses the root cause through improved memory handling mechanisms that properly validate and manage memory allocation during web content processing, aligning with industry best practices for secure coding and memory management as outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices. Additionally, users should be educated about the importance of keeping their systems updated and avoiding untrusted web content that might exploit such vulnerabilities.