CVE-2023-42872 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 01/11/2024
The issue was addressed with additional permissions checks. This issue is fixed in macOS Sonoma 14, iOS 17 and iPadOS 17. An app may be able to access sensitive user data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-42872 represents a critical permission escalation flaw within Apple's operating systems that could potentially allow malicious applications to access sensitive user data without proper authorization. This issue stems from insufficient permissions checks within the system's security framework, creating a pathway for unauthorized data access that undermines the fundamental security model of macOS Sonoma 14 and iOS 17 operating systems. The flaw specifically affects the way the system validates application permissions when accessing user data, potentially enabling apps to bypass established security boundaries that should prevent such unauthorized access.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control mechanisms within software systems. This classification indicates that the underlying issue involves inadequate authorization checks that allow applications to perform actions beyond their intended permissions scope. The vulnerability operates at the system level where proper access controls should prevent applications from accessing user data without explicit user consent or appropriate system-level permissions. Attackers could exploit this weakness to gain access to sensitive information such as personal documents, communications, or other private user data that should remain protected by the operating system's security model.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for user privacy and data protection across Apple's ecosystem. The exploitability of this flaw means that malicious applications could potentially access user data without detection, leading to potential data breaches, identity theft, or other privacy violations. The affected platforms represent a substantial user base including millions of iOS devices and Mac computers that would be vulnerable to this attack vector. Organizations relying on Apple devices for business operations face increased risk of data exposure, while individual users experience compromised privacy and potential financial loss.
The remediation for CVE-2023-42872 was implemented through the release of security updates for macOS Sonoma 14, iOS 17, and iPadOS 17, which introduced additional permissions checks to address the vulnerability. These updates modify the system's access control mechanisms to ensure that applications cannot access user data without proper authorization, implementing stricter validation processes that align with established security best practices. The fix addresses the root cause by strengthening the permission validation system and ensuring that applications must properly authenticate and authorize their data access requests before being granted access to sensitive user information. Security professionals should prioritize deployment of these updates across all affected systems to mitigate the risk of exploitation and maintain the integrity of user data protection mechanisms.
This vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing challenge of maintaining robust access control in complex operating system environments where multiple applications and system components must interact securely while protecting user privacy. The implementation of additional permissions checks represents a proactive approach to strengthening the security model, aligning with ATT&CK framework techniques related to privilege escalation and credential access. Organizations should continue monitoring for similar vulnerabilities and maintain comprehensive patch management processes to protect against emerging threats that could compromise user data and system integrity. The resolution of this issue underscores the importance of continuous security improvements and the need for regular system updates to maintain protection against evolving attack vectors.