CVE-2023-42937 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 01/23/2024
A privacy issue was addressed with improved private data redaction for log entries. This issue is fixed in iOS 16.7.5 and iPadOS 16.7.5, watchOS 10.2, macOS Ventura 13.6.4, macOS Sonoma 14.2, macOS Monterey 12.7.3, iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2. An app may be able to access sensitive user data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-42937 represents a privacy flaw in Apple's operating systems that allowed unauthorized access to sensitive user data through inadequate log entry redaction mechanisms. This issue specifically affected multiple Apple platforms including iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and various macOS versions, creating a potential pathway for malicious applications to extract private information from system logs. The flaw stems from insufficient data sanitization practices during log generation processes, where sensitive user information was not properly obscured or removed from log entries before being stored or transmitted. The vulnerability falls under the broader category of privacy leaks and data exposure issues, with potential implications for user confidentiality and system security. The affected systems include iOS 16.7.5 and iPadOS 16.7.5, watchOS 10.2, macOS Ventura 13.6.4, macOS Sonoma 14.2, macOS Monterey 12.7.3, iOS 17.2, and iPadOS 17.2, indicating a widespread impact across Apple's ecosystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper handling of private data within logging frameworks where sensitive information such as personal identifiers, authentication tokens, or confidential user data was being written to log files without adequate redaction or anonymization. This represents a failure in data protection mechanisms that should have been implemented at the system level to prevent accidental exposure of private information. The flaw operates at the application programming interface level where apps may have been able to access log entries containing sensitive user data through legitimate system interfaces or by exploiting the lack of proper data sanitization. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates a weakness in the principle of least privilege and data minimization, where unnecessary sensitive information was being retained in system logs. The issue is classified under CWE-200, which covers information exposure, and specifically relates to improper data redaction or sanitization processes that fail to adequately protect sensitive information. The vulnerability could potentially be exploited by malicious applications that have legitimate access to system logging mechanisms, creating a sophisticated attack vector that leverages normal system functionality for data exfiltration.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-42937 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it represents a fundamental weakness in Apple's privacy protection architecture that could enable long-term surveillance capabilities for unauthorized parties. Attackers could potentially aggregate multiple log entries over time to reconstruct user activities, personal information, or authentication patterns that were not properly sanitized. The vulnerability creates a persistent risk where even legitimate applications might inadvertently access sensitive information that should have been protected from unauthorized access. This issue particularly affects user privacy in contexts where system logs are maintained, accessed, or transmitted without proper security controls. The potential for data aggregation and correlation across different log entries increases the severity of the exposure, as individual log entries might not seem sensitive but combined could reveal comprehensive user profiles. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the attack pattern taxonomy under ATT&CK framework, specifically related to credential access and data extraction through system interfaces. The impact is particularly concerning for enterprise environments where system logs are commonly used for security monitoring and forensic analysis, as these logs could inadvertently expose sensitive information to unauthorized parties.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-42937 require immediate deployment of the patched versions across all affected Apple platforms, as the vulnerability was addressed through improved private data redaction mechanisms in the updated operating system releases. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all devices are updated to the latest versions, particularly focusing on systems that handle sensitive data or operate in regulated environments. System administrators should conduct thorough security assessments to identify any remaining instances of the vulnerability, including reviewing existing log entries for potential exposure of sensitive information. Additional protective measures include implementing enhanced monitoring of log access patterns, establishing stricter access controls for system logging mechanisms, and conducting regular audits of data handling practices. The fix addresses the root cause by implementing improved data sanitization processes that automatically redact sensitive information from log entries before they are stored or transmitted, thereby preventing unauthorized access to private data through normal system operations. Security teams should also consider implementing data loss prevention controls specifically designed to detect and prevent exposure of sensitive information in system logs, and establish clear policies for log management that align with privacy protection best practices.