Apple watchOS up to 9.2 Kernel memory corruption

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.6$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability marked as critical has been reported in Apple watchOS up to 9.2. This issue affects some unknown processing of the component Kernel. This manipulation causes memory corruption. This vulnerability appears as CVE-2023-23504. The attack requires local access. There is no available exploit. It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Apple watchOS up to 9.2 (Smartwatch Operating System). Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown code of the component Kernel. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-119. The product performs operations on a memory buffer, but it can read from or write to a memory location that is outside of the intended boundary of the buffer. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

The issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Monterey 12.6.3, macOS Ventura 13.2, watchOS 9.3, iOS 15.7.3 and iPadOS 15.7.3, tvOS 16.3, iOS 16.3 and iPadOS 16.3. An app may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.

The weakness was presented 01/23/2023 by Adam Doupé as HT213599 as confirmed advisory (Website). It is possible to read the advisory at support.apple.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2023-23504. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not publicly available. The advisory points out:

An app may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges

Upgrading to version 9.3 eliminates this vulnerability. A possible mitigation has been published immediately after the disclosure of the vulnerability. The advisory contains the following remark:

The issue was addressed with improved memory handling.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at EUVD (EUVD-2023-27604). Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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Version

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Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.8
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.6

VulDB Base Score: 7.8
VulDB Temp Score: 7.5
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 7.8
NVD Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Memory corruption
CWE: CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

Reaction Time: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Exposure Time: 🔍

Upgrade: watchOS 9.3

Timelineinfo

01/12/2023 🔍
01/23/2023 +11 days 🔍
01/23/2023 +0 days 🔍
01/24/2023 +1 days 🔍
10/11/2025 +991 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: apple.com

Advisory: HT213599
Researcher: Adam Doupé
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2023-23504 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2023-23504
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-219223
EUVD: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 01/24/2023 11:06
Updated: 10/11/2025 17:28
Changes: 01/24/2023 11:06 (5), 01/24/2023 11:07 (14), 01/24/2023 11:10 (27), 02/19/2023 06:23 (1), 03/11/2025 23:02 (38), 10/11/2025 17:28 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

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