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Full vulnerability report · 2023
CVE-2023-28205High confidence

Apple Multiple Products WebKit Use-After-Free Vulnerability

Apple · Multiple Products

8.8HighCVSS 3.1
Recommended action
Mitigate now

CISA confirms exploitation in the wild and lists 2023-05-01 as the remediation due date.

Mitigation available
R
Operational reassessment

Published severity in operational context

Open reassessment dashboard →
Published severityHighOperational priority:Critical, raised one band.upgradedsince 10 Apr 2023

Evidence used

  • CISA confirms exploitation in the wild.
  • EPSS is 27.08% for the current model date.

Compensating controls

  • Apply the linked authoritative mitigation while planning the permanent fix.
  • Restrict the affected network interface to trusted sources where business-safe.
  • Increase monitoring for the attack path and post-exploitation behaviour described in the report.

Verification

  1. Confirm that the asset runs Apple Multiple Products and falls inside the recorded affected range.
  2. Recheck the vendor advisory before scheduling a change because no verified fixed version is currently retained.
  3. Validate exposure, authentication requirements and compensating controls in the actual environment.
  4. Reopen this reassessment when CVSS, KEV, EPSS, exploit evidence or remediation changes.
Mitigation target: Within 3 daysRemediation target: Within 90 days

This automated reassessment organises public evidence. It does not know asset exposure, business impact or control effectiveness and does not replace CVSS or a human risk decision.

Distribution package intelligence

Release-specific package status

Debian, ubuntu findings are scoped to the named distribution, release and source package. An absent finding does not mean a package is unaffected.

9 package states
Repository candidate not checked

A published vendor fix does not prove that a matching update is enabled and installable on a particular asset. Confirm the local package candidate before scheduling remediation.

Distribution releaseSource packageVendor stateFixed versionEvidence
Debian trixietrixie · sourcewebkit2gtkVendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release.2.40.1-1Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 6 Oct 2026
Debian trixietrixie · sourcewpewebkitVendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release.2.38.6-1Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 6 Oct 2026
Debian bookwormbookworm · sourcewebkit2gtkVendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release.2.40.1-1Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 6 Oct 2026
Debian bookwormbookworm · sourcewpewebkitVendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release.2.38.6-1Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 6 Oct 2026
Debian forkyforky · sourcewebkit2gtkVendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release.2.40.1-1Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 6 Oct 2026
Debian forkyforky · sourcewpewebkitVendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release.2.38.6-1Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 6 Oct 2026
Debian sidsid · sourcewebkit2gtkVendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release.2.40.1-1Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 6 Oct 2026
Debian sidsid · sourcewpewebkitVendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release.2.38.6-1Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 6 Oct 2026
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSnoble · standard archiveqtwebkit-opensource-srcUnder evaluationCanonical reports that the package might be affected and still needs evaluation or fixing.Not published in this feedCanonical Ubuntu Security ↗Source updated 5 Oct 2026
Optional official sources

National CERT insights
?CERT means Computer Emergency Response Team; CSIRT is the closely related term Computer Security Incident Response Team.

Choose official national sources for this report. Each advisory shows its original language. Your selection is remembered on this device and included in shared links.

Official European source

ENISA European Vulnerability Database

Official EUVD identifiers, advisory evidence and known-exploited context. Missing fields are not treated as evidence of low risk.

1 current
ENISA EUVD identifier

EUVD-2023-31913

CISA KEV mirrored by ENISA

A use after free issue was addressed with improved memory management. This issue is fixed in Safari 16.4.1, iOS 15.7.5 and iPadOS 15.7.5, iOS 16.4.1 and iPadOS 16.4.1, macOS Ventura 13.3.1. Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited.

EUVD state
Present in the current official mapping
Known exploitation
Recorded by ENISA since 10 Apr 2023. Evidence sources: cisa_kev.
ENISA score
8.8 · CVSS 3.1
Advisory evidence
8 linked advisory records
Explicit mitigation evidence

Only statements that explicitly mention a fix, patch, update, workaround or mitigation are shown here.

  • csaf_suse · SUSE-SU-2023:2078-1Security update for webkit2gtk3
  • csaf_suse · SUSE-SU-2023:2077-1Security update for webkit2gtk3
  • csaf_redhat · RHSA-2023:1919Red Hat Security Advisory: webkit2gtk3 security update
  • csaf_suse · SUSE-SU-2023:2065-1Security update for webkit2gtk3
  • csaf_redhat · RHSA-2025:10364Red Hat Security Advisory: webkitgtk4 security update
  • csaf_redhat · RHSA-2023:1918Red Hat Security Advisory: webkit2gtk3 security update
  • csaf_suse · SUSE-SU-2023:2056-1Security update for webkit2gtk3
Recommended actionMitigate now

CISA confirms exploitation in the wild and lists 2023-05-01 as the remediation due date.

Mitigation available
01

What, why and how

Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Safari WebKit contain a use-after-free vulnerability that leads to code execution when processing maliciously crafted web content. This vulnerability could impact HTML parsers that use WebKit, including but not limited to Apple Safari and non-Apple products which rely on WebKit for HTML processing.

What

Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Safari WebKit contain a use-after-free vulnerability that leads to code execution when processing maliciously crafted web content. This vulnerability could impact HTML parsers that use WebKit, including but not limited to Apple Safari and non-Apple products which rely on WebKit for HTML processing.

Why

The program can continue using memory after it has been released, producing unsafe and attacker-influenceable behaviour.

How

An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation without authentication after a user interaction. If successful, the issue may cause the confidentiality, integrity or availability impact described by the vendor.

What

Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Safari WebKit contain a use-after-free vulnerability that leads to code execution when processing maliciously crafted web content. This vulnerability could impact HTML parsers that use WebKit, including but not limited to Apple Safari and non-Apple products which rely on WebKit for HTML processing.

Why

The program can continue using memory after it has been released, producing unsafe and attacker-influenceable behaviour.

How

An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation without authentication after a user interaction. If successful, the issue may cause the confidentiality, integrity or availability impact described by the vendor.

02

Exploit reality and attack path

CVSS severity, EPSS forecast probability, public exploit material and CISA-confirmed exploitation are separate signals.

Observed exploitation
?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.
Confirmed in the wild

CISA added this CVE to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on 2023-04-10.

Public PoC / exploit material
?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.
None recorded

No exploit-tagged reference or CISA SSVC proof-of-concept state is currently recorded. Research may still exist outside the structured feeds.

Likely attack path
a network path → Use After Free → cause the confidentiality, integrity or availability impact described by the vendor
Attack surface
Network
Privileges required
None: unauthenticated exploitation is possible
User interaction
Required interaction required
Attack complexity
Low: no specialised conditions are recorded
Security boundary
Unchanged: impact remains within the vulnerable component's security authority
Weakness
?CWE means Common Weakness Enumeration: a standard category for the underlying weakness.
CWE-416 ↗

CWE-416: Use After Free. The product reuses or references memory after it has been freed. At some point afterward, the memory may be allocated again and saved in another pointer, while the original pointer references a location somewhere within the new allocation. Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory belongs to the code that operates on the new pointer.

CVSS vector
?CVSS means Common Vulnerability Scoring System. The vector records the metric values used to calculate technical severity.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Common Vulnerability Scoring System 3.1: the compact vector below is decoded into plain language.

AVNetworkAttack vector: The vulnerable component can be reached over a network.ACLowAttack complexity: No specialised conditions are required beyond attacker-controlled input.PRNonePrivileges required: The attacker does not need an account or existing privileges.UIRequiredUser interaction: Another user must perform an action for exploitation to succeed.SUnchangedScope: The security impact remains within the vulnerable component's authority.CHighConfidentiality impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.IHighIntegrity impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.AHighAvailability impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.
Post-exploitation / living off the land
No specific living-off-the-land technique is confirmed in the structured sources. Monitor normal administration tools for activity inconsistent with the affected service's baseline.
NetworkUnauthenticatedCWE-416CISA KEV
A

Official authority intelligence

Only matched European and national findings are included. Language selectors and unavailable sources are omitted.

ENISA EUVD · EUVD-2023-31913Known-exploited evidence recorded

A use after free issue was addressed with improved memory management. This issue is fixed in Safari 16.4.1, iOS 15.7.5 and iPadOS 15.7.5, iOS 16.4.1 and iPadOS 16.4.1, macOS Ventura 13.3.1. Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited.

Official EUVD record ↗
BSI · German · WID-SEC-2023-1185Red Hat Enterprise Linux: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Ein Angreifer kann mehrere Schwachstellen in Red Hat Enterprise Linux ausnutzen, um beliebigen Code auszuführen, Sicherheitsmaßnahmen zu umgehen, vertrauliche Informationen offenzulegen, einen Denial-of-Service-Zustand auszulösen, seine Privilegien zu erweitern und Daten zu manipulieren.

Official advisory ↗
Cyber Security Agency of Singapore · English · CSA-SB-20230412Security Bulletin 12 Apr 2023

The Cyber Security Agency of Singapore included this CVE in its official Security Bulletin 12 Apr 2023, published on 12 April 2023. Open the linked bulletin for the product, severity and reference information published in that issue.

Official advisory ↗
CERT-FR · French · CERTFR-2023-AVI-0296Multiples vulnérabilités dans les produits Apple

De multiples vulnérabilités ont été découvertes dans les produits Apple. Elles permettent à un attaquant de provoquer une exécution de code arbitraire à distance et une élévation de privilèges. Apple indique que ces vulnérabilités sont activement exploitées. De plus, une preuve de concept est disponible publiquement pour la vulnérabilité C VE-2023-28206.

Official advisory ↗
JVN iPedia · Japanese · JVNDB-2023-006693複数のアップル製品における解放済みメモリの使用に関する脆弱性

Safari、iPadOS、iOS 等複数のアップル製品には、解放済みメモリの使用に関する脆弱性が存在します。

Official advisory ↗
KISA KrCERT/CC · Korean · KNVD-5902Apple 제품 보안 업데이트 권고

WebKit에서 악의적으로 제작된 웹 콘텐츠를 처리하는 과정에서 발생하는 임의 코드 실행 취약점 (CVE-2023-28205) [1]

Official advisory ↗
KISA KrCERT/CC · Korean · KNVD-5901현재 악용되고 있는 Exploit(Update. 2023-04-10)

Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Safari WebKit contain a use-after-free vulnerability that leads to code execution when processing maliciously crafted web content.

Official advisory ↗
03

Patch and workaround

Operational remediation based on structured source evidence.

Status
?Patch availability is based on structured fixed-version fields and authoritative update references. If no fix is verified, check the vendor advisory before making a change.
Mitigation available
Affected
Fixed
No fixed version is explicitly recorded in the structured CVE data.
Action
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Workaround
No verified workaround is recorded. If business-safe, reduce exposure to the affected interface and allow only trusted sources until authoritative guidance is available.
04

Evidence and provenance

Published 10 Apr 2023 · Last source change 21 Oct 2025, 23:15 UTC · CWE-416 · Use After Free

CVE recordCVE.org · 5.1
CVSS sourceNIST NVD
EPSS source
?The date BlackTree first stored a score for this CVE from the daily FIRST EPSS feed.
FIRST · tracked since 2026-08-14
European sourceENISA EUVD · EUVD-2023-31913
Product sourceCISA KEV
Remediation sourceCVE/CNA references
CWE sourceCISA ADP
NVD statusNVD enriched

Core structured fields are present and their contributing authorities are shown above.

Material change intelligence

What changed after publication

View recent updates ↗
  1. Vendor guidanceAuthoritative vendor guidance changed: removed remediation: knvd.krcert.or.kr/detail?id=64347f7b6278219abfae5b75.
    Before
    remediation: knvd.krcert.or.kr/detail?id=64347f7b6278219abfae5b75
    After
    no authoritative guidance recorded
    CISA KEV ↗
  2. Remediation statusRemediation status changed from Mitigation available to Awaiting fix.
    Before
    Mitigation available
    After
    Awaiting fix
    CISA KEV ↗
  3. Affected versionsThe structured affected or fixed version information changed.
    Before
    unspecified < 15.7; unspecified < 16.4; unspecified < 13.3 · Fixed: No fixed version is explicitly recorded in the structured CVE data.
    After
    iOS and iPadOS: unspecified < 15.7, unspecified < 16.4; Safari: unspecified < 16.4; macOS: unspecified < 13.3 · Fixed: No fixed version is explicitly recorded in the structured CVE data.
    CNA ↗
  4. Remediation statusRemediation status changed from Awaiting fix to Mitigation available.
    Before
    Awaiting fix
    After
    Mitigation available
    KISA KrCERT/CC ↗
Material fields only · duplicate refreshes suppressed · history retained for the configured operational retention period
CVE published
Added to CISA KEV
Remediation guidance recorded
ENISA EUVD · EUVD-2023-31913↗KISA KrCERT/CC remediation guidance↗CISA KEV record↗CVE authority or vendor reference↗Official CVE record (CNA and ADP data)↗NVD record↗
Technical terms and abbreviations used in this report
CVE
Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures: the public identifier for one disclosed vulnerability.
CVSS
Common Vulnerability Scoring System: a technical severity framework; it is not patching priority by itself.
EPSS
Exploit Prediction Scoring System: FIRST's estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days; it is a forecast, not confirmation.
CWE
Common Weakness Enumeration: the standard category describing the underlying software or hardware weakness.
CNA
CVE Numbering Authority: an organisation authorised to assign and publish CVE records.
CISA ADP
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Authorized Data Publisher: structured enrichment added to a CVE record.
NVD
National Vulnerability Database: NIST's enrichment service for CVE records.
CERT / CSIRT
A computer security incident response team that publishes warnings or coordinates incident response.
PoC
Proof of concept: public material that demonstrates or helps reproduce exploitation.
CSAF
Common Security Advisory Framework: a machine-readable format for security advisories.
LoTL
Living off the land: abuse of legitimate tools or system functions during an attack.
Free version - for non-commercial use only.CVE-2023-28205 · cve.blacktree.nl