CVE-2023-43010 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 03/12/2026
The issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2, macOS Sonoma 14.2, Safari 17.2, iOS 16.7.15 and iPadOS 16.7.15, iOS 15.8.7 and iPadOS 15.8.7. Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to memory corruption.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2026
This vulnerability represents a memory handling issue that could potentially be exploited through maliciously crafted web content, affecting multiple Apple operating systems and browsers. The flaw exists in the way the affected systems process web content, creating opportunities for memory corruption that could be leveraged by attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause system instability. The vulnerability was addressed through improved memory handling mechanisms, which is a common approach for resolving memory-related security issues in modern operating systems. The affected versions span across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS platforms, indicating a widespread impact across Apple's ecosystem. The fix was implemented in several version releases including iOS 17.2, iPadOS 17.2, macOS Sonoma 14.2, and Safari 17.2, alongside older versions that received security updates through maintenance releases.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with common memory corruption flaws that fall under the CWE-122 category of "Heap-based Buffer Overflow" or similar memory handling issues. When processing malicious web content, the affected systems could experience improper memory allocation or deallocation, leading to corruption of adjacent memory regions. This type of vulnerability typically arises from insufficient bounds checking or improper memory management during web rendering operations. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that web browsers and operating systems process untrusted content from the internet, making this a critical security concern for user privacy and system integrity. The vulnerability could potentially be exploited through drive-by download scenarios or malicious websites that craft specific content to trigger the memory corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes or instability, as memory corruption can lead to more severe consequences including privilege escalation, arbitrary code execution, or complete system compromise. Attackers could potentially leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to user data, install malicious software, or establish persistent backdoors on affected systems. The widespread nature of the affected platforms means that a successful exploitation could impact millions of users across different device types. The fact that this vulnerability was addressed in both major OS releases and browser updates indicates the severity of the issue, as Apple typically reserves immediate patches for critical vulnerabilities that could be actively exploited in the wild.
Organizations and users should prioritize immediate deployment of the available security updates, particularly given the potential for remote code execution through web-based attacks. System administrators should monitor for any indicators of exploitation attempts and ensure all endpoints are updated to the latest secure versions. The mitigation strategy should include not only patching the affected systems but also implementing network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments should be conducted to verify that all systems have been properly updated and that no legacy or unsupported versions remain in the environment. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and demonstrates the critical nature of memory safety in modern operating systems, particularly in web browser contexts where untrusted content is routinely processed.