CVE-2023-38606
MediumExploitedPublic exploitThis issue was addressed with improved state management.
Published Dec 28, 2023 · Updated Oct 30, 2025
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2023-38606 is a medium-severity vulnerability (CVSS 5.5 v3.1) affecting Ipados (Apple), Iphone OS (Apple), macOS (Apple) and 3 more products.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Jul 24, 2023. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 2.9% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Ipados 15.7.8, Iphone OS 15.7.8, macOS 11.7.9.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
CVSS v3.1
5.5
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
2.9%
Higher than 86.7% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
4 catalog listings
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2023-38606 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
Description
This issue was addressed with improved state management. This issue is fixed in macOS Monterey 12.6.8, iOS 15.7.8 and iPadOS 15.7.8, iOS 16.6 and iPadOS 16.6, tvOS 16.6, macOS Big Sur 11.7.9, macOS Ventura 13.5, watchOS 9.6. An app may be able to modify sensitive kernel state. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited against versions of iOS released before iOS 15.7.1.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA KEV | Jul 26, 2023 | Aug 16, 2023 | Not reported |
| Industry KEV feed | Jul 24, 2023 | Aug 16, 2023 | Not reported |
| CIRCL KEV | Jul 26, 2023 | Aug 16, 2023 | Not reported |
| ENISA EUVD | Jul 26, 2023 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Affected Products
9 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| IpadosApple | See advisory | 15.7.8 |
| Iphone OSApple | See advisory | 15.7.8 |
| macOSApple | >= unspecified | 11.7.9 |
| tvOSApple | >= unspecified | 16.6 |
| watchOSApple | >= unspecified | 9.6 |
Patched Releases
Ipados
15.7.8
Iphone OS
15.7.8
macOS
11.7.9, 11.7, 12.6, 13.5
tvOS
16.6
watchOS
9.6
iOS and iPadOS
15.7, 16.6
Timeline
Added to Industry KEV feed
Jul 24, 2023
Added to CISA KEV
Jul 26, 2023
Added to CIRCL KEV
Jul 26, 2023
Added to ENISA EUVD
Jul 26, 2023
Publicly disclosed
Dec 28, 2023
Last updated
Oct 30, 2025
References
- advisoryVulnCheck exploitation report
- advisoryhttps://support.apple.com/en-us/103837
- advisoryhttps://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213676
- advisoryhttps://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213841
- advisoryhttps://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213842
FAQ
Common Questions.
This issue was addressed with improved state management.
Affected: Ipados (Apple); Iphone OS (Apple); macOS (Apple) versions >= unspecified, among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Jul 24, 2023.
Yes. It was added on Jul 26, 2023 with a federal remediation due date of Aug 16, 2023.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including Ipados 15.7.8, Iphone OS 15.7.8, macOS 11.7.9.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
Is CVE-2023-38606 Running On Your Attack Surface?
Brandefense maps vulnerabilities like this one to your internet-facing assets and tells you exactly where to patch.
Request A Demo