Apple iOS/iPadOS up to 16.x App use after free

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.7$5k-$25k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Apple iOS and iPadOS up to 16.x and classified as critical. This vulnerability affects unknown code of the component App. Performing a manipulation results in use after free. This vulnerability is reported as CVE-2023-41974. The attack requires a local approach. Moreover, an exploit is present. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Apple iOS and iPadOS up to 16.x (Smartphone Operating System). This affects an unknown part of the component App. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

A use-after-free issue was addressed with improved memory management. This issue is fixed in iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, iOS 15.8.7 and iPadOS 15.8.7. An app may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.

The weakness was disclosed 01/11/2024. It is possible to read the advisory at support.apple.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2023-41974 since 09/06/2023. 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 03/12/2026). 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 03/05/2026 with a due date of 03/26/2026:

Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

Upgrading to version 17.0 eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2026-0705). Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Apple iOS
  • Apple iPadOS

Productinfo

Type

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: 7.7

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

NVD Base Score: 7.8
NVD Vector: 🔍

ADP CISA Base Score: 7.8
ADP CISA Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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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: Partially

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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Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Upgrade: iOS/iPadOS 17.0

Timelineinfo

09/06/2023 🔍
01/11/2024 +127 days 🔍
01/11/2024 +0 days 🔍
03/12/2026 +791 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: apple.com

Advisory: support.apple.com
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2023-41974 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2023-41974
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-250407
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2026-0705 - Apple iOS und iPadOS: Mehrere Schwachstellen

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20150917

Entryinfo

Created: 01/11/2024 08:39
Updated: 03/12/2026 16:21
Changes: 01/11/2024 08:39 (41), 01/30/2024 10:18 (10), 06/21/2025 00:45 (16), 03/05/2026 21:25 (10), 03/05/2026 23:01 (13), 03/12/2026 03:10 (1), 03/12/2026 16:21 (7)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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

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