VDB-239416 · CVE-2023-41990 · GCVE-0-2023-41990

Apple watchOS Font Remote Code Execution

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-$5k	0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Apple watchOS. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the component Font Handler. Executing a manipulation can lead to an unknown weakness. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2023-41990. The attack can be executed remotely. Additionally, an exploit exists. You should upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Apple watchOS (Smartwatch Operating System) (affected version not known). It has been declared as critical. This vulnerability affects some unknown functionality of the component Font Handler. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

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 released 09/12/2023. The advisory is shared for download at support.apple.com. This vulnerability was named CVE-2023-41990 since 09/06/2023. Successful exploitation requires user interaction by the victim. Technical details are unknown but an exploit is available.

It is declared as attacked. This issue was added on 01/08/2024 to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog 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). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Productinfo

Type

Smartwatch Operating System

Vendor

Apple

Name

watchOS

License

commercial

Website

Vendor: https://www.apple.com/

CPE 2.3info

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CPE 2.2info

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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

AV	AC	Au	C	I	A
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💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳
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Vector	Complexity	Authentication	Confidentiality	Integrity	Availability
Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
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Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock

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: 🔍

0-Day	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Today	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock

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-100-239416
scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161013

Entryinfo

Created: 09/12/2023 07:23
Updated: 04/22/2025 02:07
Changes: 09/12/2023 07:23 (39), 10/10/2023 07:41 (11), 04/30/2024 10:33 (23), 06/08/2024 12:46 (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

VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.