Apple iOS/iPadOS up to 16.4.1 Kernel use after free

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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7.5$5k-$25k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Apple iOS and iPadOS up to 16.4.1 and classified as critical. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the component Kernel. The manipulation leads to use after free. This vulnerability is referenced as CVE-2023-32398. The attack can only be performed from a local environment. No exploit is available. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Apple iOS and iPadOS up to 16.4.1 (Smartphone Operating System) and classified as critical. This issue affects an unknown part of the component Kernel. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

The weakness was published 05/18/2023 by Adam Doupé as HT213757 as confirmed advisory (Website). The advisory is shared at support.apple.com. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2023-32398. Neither technical details nor an exploit are publicly available. The price for an exploit might be around USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 01/02/2026). It is expected to see the exploit prices for this product increasing in the near future. The advisory points out:

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

Upgrading to version 16.5 eliminates this vulnerability. A possible mitigation has been published immediately after the disclosure of the vulnerability. The advisory contains the following remark:

A use-after-free issue was addressed with improved memory management.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at EUVD (EUVD-2023-36642). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.8
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.5

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

CVSSv2info

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Use after free
CWE: CWE-416 / 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 16.5

Timelineinfo

05/08/2023 🔍
05/18/2023 +10 days 🔍
05/18/2023 +0 days 🔍
05/20/2023 +2 days 🔍
01/02/2026 +958 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: apple.com

Advisory: HT213757
Researcher: Adam Doupé
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2023-32398 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2023-32398
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-229505
EUVD: 🔍
scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20150917

Entryinfo

Created: 05/20/2023 07:48
Updated: 01/02/2026 07:21
Changes: 05/20/2023 07:48 (19), 05/20/2023 07:51 (28), 06/14/2023 20:53 (1), 01/02/2026 07:21 (16)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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