Apple iOS/iPadOS Font Remote Code Execution

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.2$5k-$25k1.04

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Apple iOS and iPadOS. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the component Font Handler. Performing a manipulation results in an unknown weakness. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2023-41990. Remote exploitation of the attack is possible. Furthermore, an exploit is available. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Apple iOS and iPadOS (Smartphone Operating System) (affected version unknown). It has been classified as critical. This affects an unknown functionality of the component Font Handler. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

The issue was addressed with improved handling of caches. This issue is fixed in macOS Ventura 13.2, iOS 15.7.8 and iPadOS 15.7.8, watchOS 9.3, tvOS 16.3, iOS 16.3 and iPadOS 16.3, macOS Big Sur 11.7.9, macOS Monterey 12.6.8. Processing a font file may lead to arbitrary code execution. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited against versions of iOS released before iOS 15.7.1.

The weakness was published 09/12/2023. It is possible to read the advisory at support.apple.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2023-41990 since 09/06/2023. It demands that the victim is doing some kind of user interaction. Technical details are unknown but an exploit is available. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 02/04/2025). It is expected to see the exploit prices for this product increasing in the near future.

It is declared as attacked. The CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog lists this issue since 01/08/2024 with a due date of 01/29/2024:

Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Zero-Day.cz (807). Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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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

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

Exploitinginfo

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

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Attacked

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

KEV Added: 🔍
KEV Due: 🔍
KEV Remediation: 🔍
KEV Ransomware: 🔍
KEV Notice: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Zero-Day.cz: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

09/06/2023 🔍
09/12/2023 +6 days 🔍
09/12/2023 +0 days 🔍
04/22/2025 +588 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: apple.com

Advisory: support.apple.com
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2023-41990 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2023-41990
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-239415
scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20150917

Entryinfo

Created: 09/12/2023 07:23
Updated: 04/22/2025 02:07
Changes: 09/12/2023 07:23 (40), 10/10/2023 07:35 (11), 04/30/2024 10:27 (23), 06/08/2024 10:29 (2), 09/09/2024 22:30 (1), 11/29/2024 17:51 (1), 02/04/2025 00:55 (11), 04/22/2025 02:07 (3)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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

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