Apple iOS/iPadOS up to 16.3.1 Kernel memory corruption

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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6.6$5k-$25k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability described as critical has been identified in Apple iOS and iPadOS up to 16.3.1. This vulnerability affects unknown code of the component Kernel. Such manipulation leads to memory corruption. This vulnerability is listed as CVE-2023-27933. The attack must be carried out locally. There is no available exploit. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Apple iOS and iPadOS up to 16.3.1 (Smartphone Operating System) and classified as critical. Affected by this issue is an unknown code block of the component Kernel. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to 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. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

The issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Ventura 13.3, iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4, macOS Monterey 12.6.4, tvOS 16.4, watchOS 9.4. An app with root privileges may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.

The weakness was presented 03/27/2023 by sqrtpwn as HT213676 as confirmed advisory (Website). The advisory is shared for download at support.apple.com. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2023-27933. There are neither technical details nor an exploit publicly available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $5k-$25k (estimation calculated on 11/28/2025). It is expected to see the exploit prices for this product increasing in the near future. The advisory points out:

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

Upgrading to version 16.4 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-2023-31659). Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.7
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.6

VulDB Base Score: 6.7
VulDB Temp Score: 6.4
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 6.7
NVD Vector: 🔍

CNA Base Score: 6.7
CNA 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: No

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: iOS/iPadOS 16.4

Timelineinfo

03/08/2023 🔍
03/27/2023 +18 days 🔍
03/27/2023 +0 days 🔍
03/29/2023 +2 days 🔍
11/28/2025 +975 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: apple.com

Advisory: HT213676
Researcher: sqrtpwn
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2023-27933 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2023-27933
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-224348
EUVD: 🔍
scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20150917

Entryinfo

Created: 03/29/2023 09:56
Updated: 11/28/2025 13:47
Changes: 03/29/2023 09:56 (8), 03/29/2023 09:57 (11), 03/29/2023 10:00 (28), 04/19/2023 07:34 (1), 01/30/2025 10:19 (35), 11/28/2025 13:47 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

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