Apple macOS up to 13.2.1 ImageIO buffer overflow

CVSS Meta Temp Score
CVSS is a standardized scoring system to determine possibilities of attacks. The Temp Score considers temporal factors like disclosure, exploit and countermeasures. The unique Meta Score calculates the average score of different sources to provide a normalized scoring system.
Current Exploit Price (≈)
Our analysts are monitoring exploit markets and are in contact with vulnerability brokers. The range indicates the observed or calculated exploit price to be seen on exploit markets. A good indicator to understand the monetary effort required for and the popularity of an attack.
CTI Interest Score
Our Cyber Threat Intelligence team is monitoring different web sites, mailing lists, exploit markets and social media networks. The CTI Interest Score identifies the interest of attackers and the security community for this specific vulnerability in real-time. A high score indicates an elevated risk to be targeted for this vulnerability.
7.2$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Apple macOS up to 13.2.1. This impacts an unknown function of the component ImageIO. Such manipulation leads to buffer overflow. This vulnerability is referenced as CVE-2023-27957. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. No exploit is available. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Apple macOS up to 13.2.1 (Operating System) and classified as critical. Affected by this issue is an unknown function of the component ImageIO. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a buffer overflow vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-120. The product copies an input buffer to an output buffer without verifying that the size of the input buffer is less than the size of the output buffer, leading to a buffer overflow. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

A buffer overflow issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Ventura 13.3. Processing a maliciously crafted file may lead to unexpected app termination or arbitrary code execution.

The weakness was published 03/27/2023 by Yiğit Can Yilmaz as HT213670 as confirmed advisory (Website). The advisory is shared for download at support.apple.com. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2023-27957. Successful exploitation requires user interaction by the victim. There are neither technical details nor an exploit publicly available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $0-$5k (estimation calculated on 11/30/2025). It is expected to see the exploit prices for this product increasing in the near future. The advisory points out:

Processing a maliciously crafted file may lead to unexpected app termination or arbitrary code execution

Upgrading to version 13.3 eliminates this vulnerability. A possible mitigation has been published immediately after the disclosure of the vulnerability. The advisory contains the following remark:

A buffer overflow issue was addressed with improved memory handling.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at EUVD (EUVD-2023-31683). Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.2

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

NVD Base Score: 7.8
NVD Vector: 🔍

CNA Base Score: 7.8
CNA Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
💳💳💳💳💳💳
💳💳💳💳💳💳
💳💳💳💳💳💳
VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
UnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
UnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
UnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Buffer overflow
CWE: CWE-120 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

0-DayUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
TodayUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

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

Upgrade: macOS 13.3

Timelineinfo

03/08/2023 🔍
03/27/2023 +18 days 🔍
03/27/2023 +0 days 🔍
03/29/2023 +2 days 🔍
11/30/2025 +977 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: apple.com

Advisory: HT213670
Researcher: Yiğit Can Yilmaz
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2023-27957 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2023-27957
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-224420
EUVD: 🔍
scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20180712

Entryinfo

Created: 03/29/2023 15:23
Updated: 11/30/2025 05:05
Changes: 03/29/2023 15:23 (19), 03/29/2023 15:26 (28), 04/19/2023 12:53 (1), 01/29/2025 17:14 (36), 04/27/2025 13:46 (3), 11/30/2025 05:05 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Discussion

No comments yet. Languages: en.

Please log in to comment.

Want to know what is going to be exploited?

We predict KEV entries!