CVE-2023-42969 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 04/11/2025
An app may be able to break out of its sandbox. This issue is fixed in iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, iOS 16.7 and iPadOS 16.7, macOS Sonoma 14, macOS Ventura 13.6, macOS Monterey 12.7. The issue was addressed with improved handling of caches.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical sandbox escape flaw that allows malicious applications to bypass system security boundaries and access restricted resources. The issue affects multiple Apple operating systems including iOS 16 and earlier versions, iPadOS 16 and earlier versions, and macOS versions up to Monterey 12.6. The vulnerability stems from inadequate cache handling mechanisms that fail to properly enforce security boundaries between applications and system resources. According to the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, this flaw maps to CWE-254 which describes weaknesses related to inadequate protection of security-critical information, specifically in the context of sandbox escape scenarios where applications can gain unauthorized access to system resources beyond their designated permissions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper management of cached data structures that applications use to store temporary information. When applications process data through cache mechanisms, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize cache contents before allowing access to sensitive system resources. This allows an attacker to manipulate cached data in ways that can lead to privilege escalation or unauthorized access to system components. The fix implemented by Apple addresses this through enhanced cache validation procedures that ensure all cached data undergoes proper security checks before being accessed by applications. This remediation aligns with the ATT&CK framework's T1068 technique for privilege escalation through local exploits, specifically targeting the sandbox escape category.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application-level security breaches, as it can potentially enable attackers to access sensitive user data, system files, and communication channels. Mobile device users face risks including unauthorized access to personal information, potential data exfiltration, and compromised privacy. The vulnerability's exploitation could allow adversaries to gain persistent access to devices and potentially escalate privileges to system-level access. Organizations relying on Apple devices for business operations must consider the implications of this vulnerability on their security posture, particularly in environments where device security is critical. The fix requires system updates across all affected platforms, with iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, iOS 16.7 and iPadOS 16.7, macOS Sonoma 14, macOS Ventura 13.6, and macOS Monterey 12.7 being the minimum recommended versions to address the issue. Security teams should prioritize deployment of these updates and monitor for any potential exploitation attempts that may have occurred prior to the release of the patches. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper cache management in security-critical systems and demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation flaws can result in significant security implications.