CVE-2023-41990
HighExploitedPublic exploitThe issue was addressed with improved handling of caches.
Published Dec 28, 2023 · Updated Oct 21, 2025
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2023-41990 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 7.8 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 Jan 23, 2023. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 1.4% 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
7.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
1.4%
Higher than 71.8% 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-2023-41990 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
Description
The issue was addressed with improved handling of caches. This issue is fixed in tvOS 16.3, iOS 16.3 and iPadOS 16.3, macOS Monterey 12.6.8, macOS Big Sur 11.7.9, iOS 15.7.8 and iPadOS 15.7.8, macOS Ventura 13.2, watchOS 9.3. Processing a font file may lead to arbitrary code execution. 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 | Jan 8, 2024 | Jan 29, 2024 | Not reported |
| Industry KEV feed | Jan 23, 2023 | Jan 29, 2024 | Not reported |
| CIRCL KEV | Jan 8, 2024 | Jan 29, 2024 | Not reported |
| ENISA EUVD | Jan 8, 2024 | 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 | 16.3 |
| watchOSApple | >= unspecified | 9.3 |
Patched Releases
Ipados
15.7.8
Iphone OS
15.7.8
macOS
11.7.9, 11.7, 12.6, 13.2
tvOS
16.3
watchOS
9.3
iOS and iPadOS
15.7, 16.3
Timeline
Added to Industry KEV feed
Jan 23, 2023
Publicly disclosed
Dec 28, 2023
Added to CISA KEV
Jan 8, 2024
Added to CIRCL KEV
Jan 8, 2024
Added to ENISA EUVD
Jan 8, 2024
Last updated
Oct 21, 2025
References
- advisoryVulnCheck exploitation report
- advisoryhttps://support.apple.com/en-us/103837
- advisoryhttps://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213599
- advisoryhttps://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213601
- advisoryhttps://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213605
FAQ
Common Questions.
The issue was addressed with improved handling of caches.
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 Jan 23, 2023.
Yes. It was added on Jan 8, 2024 with a federal remediation due date of Jan 29, 2024.
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.
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