CVE-2023-28204 is a medium-severity vulnerability identified in multiple Apple products, including Safari, iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS. This vulnerability allows an out-of-bounds read, which may lead to sensitive information disclosure when processing maliciously crafted web content. The issue has been addressed with improved input validation and is fixed in various product versions, including watchOS 9.5, tvOS 16.5, macOS Ventura 13.4, iOS 15.7.6, and iPadOS 15.7.6.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 6.5, indicating a medium severity level. This score reflects a low attack complexity and no required privileges for exploitation, meaning that attackers may leverage this vulnerability through network interactions requiring user interaction.
Organizations should be aware that Apple has acknowledged reports suggesting this issue may have been actively exploited. Therefore, it is crucial for defenders to prioritize patching to mitigate potential risks associated with this vulnerability.
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, which could lead to further exploitation or damage. Immediate action is necessary to safeguard systems against potential threats.
Vulnerability Details
The official CVE description states that an out-of-bounds read was addressed with improved input validation. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-125, which pertains to out-of-bounds read issues. The CVSS vector for this vulnerability is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N, confirming its potential for high confidentiality impact, with no integrity or availability impact.
Affected products include Safari, iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS. It is crucial for organizations using these platforms to ensure they are running the latest versions to mitigate this vulnerability.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is linked to improper input validation, which can lead to out-of-bounds memory access. This vulnerability can be exploited through network interactions, particularly when users access maliciously crafted web content.
Attack complexity is assessed as low, meaning that exploitation requires minimal skill. No privileges are required to exploit this vulnerability, but user interaction is necessary, as the user must visit a malicious site for the attack to be successful.
The confidentiality impact is classified as high due to the potential exposure of sensitive information. However, there is no expected impact on integrity or availability, as the vulnerability primarily concerns data disclosure.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world deployment risk associated with CVE-2023-28204 is significant. Organizations utilizing affected Apple products face potential breaches of sensitive information, which could have far-reaching consequences, including reputational damage and regulatory penalties.
The blast radius of this vulnerability extends to all users of the affected products, especially those who interact with web content. Given that the CVSS score is 6.5 and the vulnerability is included in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, the urgency for organizations is critical.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate potential risks and protect sensitive data.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
Affected versions include Safari versions prior to 16.5, iPadOS prior to 15.7.6 and from 16.0 to 16.5, iPhone OS prior to 15.7.6 and from 16.0 to 16.5, macOS versions prior to 13.4, tvOS versions prior to 16.5, and watchOS versions prior to 9.5.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-28204, organizations should apply the necessary security updates provided by Apple. Ensure that your systems are updated to the latest versions, including Safari 16.5, iOS 15.7.6, iPadOS 15.7.6, macOS Ventura 13.4, tvOS 16.5, and watchOS 9.5.
For additional security measures, organizations may consider implementing network controls, monitoring logs for unusual activities, and educating users on the risks associated with malicious web content.
As a part of a comprehensive security strategy, organizations should also engage in regular security assessments, such as penetration testing to identify and address similar vulnerabilities.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for indicators of exploitation attempts, such as unusual access patterns or failed attempts to load web content. Look for behavioral anomalies that may indicate attempts to exploit the vulnerability and implement network signatures to identify malicious traffic.
Additionally, changes to systems that coincide with the usage of vulnerable applications should be documented and reviewed for any unauthorized modifications.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The vulnerability represented by CVE-2023-28204 highlights a critical area of focus for security teams: ensuring robust input validation in web applications. As vulnerabilities like this emerge, organizations must remain vigilant and adopt a proactive approach to security.
Security teams should embrace penetration testing methodology to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities preemptively.
This incident serves as a reminder of the potential risks associated with web content processing and the importance of regular updates. Organizations are encouraged to leverage vulnerability management programs as a strategic defense against similar threats.
As organizations navigate the evolving threat landscape, understanding vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-28204 can enhance their defensive posture and reduce risk exposure.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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