Apple · iOS and iPadOS
CVE-2023-41974
Apple iOS and iPadOS Use-After-Free Vulnerability
What it is
A use-after-free issue was addressed with improved memory management. This issue is fixed in iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, iOS 15.8.7 and iPadOS 15.8.7. An app may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.
CISA: Apple iOS and iPadOS contain a use-after-free vulnerability. An app may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.
What to do
Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Deadline for US federal agencies: March 26, 2026
More exploited flaws from Apple
| Added | Vulnerability | Product | Severity | Attack chance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 12, 2025 | Incorrect Authorization | iOS and iPadOS | Medium 6.1 | 4.5% |
| Oct 5, 2023 | Kernel Privilege Escalation | iOS and iPadOS | High 7.8 | 1.0% |
| Oct 25, 2022 | Out-of-Bounds Write | iOS and iPadOS | High 7.8 | 1.1% |
| Jun 27, 2022 | Buffer Overflow | iOS and iPadOS | High 7.8 | 2.9% |
| Sep 29, 2026 | Out-of-Bounds Write | Multiple Products | High 8.8 | 26% |
| Aug 18, 2026 | Improper Authentication | macOS | Critical 9.8 | 1.7% |
| Mar 20, 2026 | Buffer Overflow | Multiple Products | High 8.8 | 1.7% |
| Mar 20, 2026 | Improper Locking | Multiple Products | High 7.8 | 0.4% |
Sources: Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (CISA, public domain), CVE records (cve.org) and EPSS (FIRST). The chance of attacks is the EPSS estimate that someone will try to exploit the flaw in the next 30 days.