Apple watchOS up to 9.2 WebKit Remote Code Execution

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.4$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Apple watchOS up to 9.2. This impacts an unknown function of the component WebKit. The manipulation results in an unknown weakness. This vulnerability was named CVE-2023-23496. The attack may be performed from remote. There is no available exploit. You should upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Apple watchOS up to 9.2 (Smartwatch Operating System). It has been classified as critical. Affected is some unknown functionality of the component WebKit. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

The issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in macOS Ventura 13.2, watchOS 9.3, iOS 15.7.2 and iPadOS 15.7.2, Safari 16.3, tvOS 16.3, iOS 16.3 and iPadOS 16.3. Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution.

The weakness was presented 01/23/2023 by ChengGang Wu, Yan Kang, YuHao Hu, Yue Sun, Jiming Wang, JiKai Ren and Hang Shu as HT213599 as confirmed advisory (Website). The advisory is shared for download at support.apple.com. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2023-23496. Successful exploitation requires user interaction by the victim. There are neither technical details nor an exploit publicly available. The advisory points out:

Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 212174 (Apple Safari 16.3 Multiple Vulnerabilities (120946)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

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 checks.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (212174) and EUVD (EUVD-2023-27596). Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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Vendor

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Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.6
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.4

VulDB Base Score: 6.3
VulDB Temp Score: 6.0
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 8.8
NVD Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Remote Code Execution
CWE: Unknown
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 212174
Nessus Name: Apple Safari 16.3 Multiple Vulnerabilities (120946)

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 🔍
10/08/2025 +988 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: apple.com

Advisory: HT213599
Researcher: ChengGang Wu, Yan Kang, YuHao Hu, Yue Sun, Jiming Wang, JiKai Ren, Hang Shu
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2023-23496 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2023-23496
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-219228
EUVD: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 01/24/2023 11:09
Updated: 10/08/2025 21:38
Changes: 01/24/2023 11:09 (18), 01/24/2023 11:12 (27), 02/19/2023 07:18 (1), 12/09/2024 18:13 (16), 03/11/2025 16:49 (12), 04/28/2025 04:06 (3), 10/08/2025 21:38 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

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