Apple macOS up to 12.6.7 SMIME cleartext transmission

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.5$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in Apple macOS up to 12.6.7. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the component SMIME Handler. Performing a manipulation results in cleartext transmission. This vulnerability is reported as CVE-2023-40440. The attack is possible to be carried out remotely. No exploit exists. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in Apple macOS up to 12.6.7 (Operating System). This affects some unknown processing of the component SMIME Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a cleartext transmission vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-319. The product transmits sensitive or security-critical data in cleartext in a communication channel that can be sniffed by unauthorized actors. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality. The summary by CVE is:

This issue was addressed with improved state management of S/MIME encrypted emails. This issue is fixed in macOS Monterey 12.6.8. A S/MIME encrypted email may be inadvertently sent unencrypted.

The weakness was disclosed 09/12/2023 as HT213844. It is possible to read the advisory at support.apple.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2023-40440 since 08/14/2023. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not publicly available. The attack technique deployed by this issue is T1040 according to MITRE ATT&CK.

Upgrading to version 12.6.8 eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at EUVD (EUVD-2023-45011). Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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Version

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.6
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.5

VulDB Base Score: 3.7
VulDB Temp Score: 3.6
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 7.5
NVD Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Cleartext transmission
CWE: CWE-319 / CWE-310
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

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: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Upgrade: macOS 12.6.8

Timelineinfo

08/14/2023 🔍
09/12/2023 +29 days 🔍
09/12/2023 +0 days 🔍
06/25/2025 +652 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: apple.com

Advisory: HT213844
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2023-40440 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2023-40440
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-239427
EUVD: 🔍
scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20180712

Entryinfo

Created: 09/12/2023 07:35
Updated: 06/25/2025 18:14
Changes: 09/12/2023 07:35 (43), 10/10/2023 08:21 (11), 06/25/2025 17:28 (16), 06/25/2025 18:14 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

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