IRONSMITHINTEL
HIGHCVSS7.8
|
Actively Exploited
|CISA KEV|CVE-2023-41064|Auth: none — unauthenticated|Reboot: required|Manual only

Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS ImageIO Buffer Overflow Vulnerability (CVE-2023-41064)

Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS contain a buffer overflow vulnerability in ImageIO when processing a maliciously crafted image, which may lead to code execution. This vulnerability was chained with CVE-2023-41061.

Published Sep 7, 2023 · Updated May 17, 2026
Why patchRisk explained in plain English
Worst-case scenarioIf unpatched

A local attacker, without authentication, can achieve full data confidentiality loss, arbitrary modification of data, complete denial of service or system unavailability. Federal agencies are required to remediate by 2023-10-02 under CISA BOD 22-01.

How the attack worksNo clicks needed

This is a Classic Buffer Overflow (CWE-120) vulnerability in Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. A buffer overflow issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in iOS 16.6.1 and iPadOS 16.6.1, macOS Monterey 12.6.9, macOS Ventura 13.5.2, iOS 15.7.9 and iPadOS 15.7.9, macOS Big Sur 11.7.10. Processing a maliciously crafted image may lead to arbitrary code execution. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited. Exploitation requires local access, low attack complexity, no authentication required, and user interaction required.

Am I affected?Quick check

Probably yes if any of these apply:

●Apple Device Administrators
●Endpoint Security
●IT Security
●Running ipados: v < 15.7.9, 16.0 ≤ v < 16.6.1; iphone os: v < 15.7.9, 16.0 ≤ v < 16.6.1; macos: 11.0 ≤ v < 11.7.10, 12.0 ≤ v < 12.6.9, 13.0 ≤ v < 13.5.2
Real-world incidentsWhat we've seen

CISA added this CVE to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2023-09-11 based on evidence of active exploitation in the wild. Federal agencies required to remediate by 2023-10-02.

How to patch

Manual remediation steps

1
Identify affected hosts: query inventory for os installs in scope.
2
Apply the vendor security update referenced in CVE-2023-41064's advisory. No specific KB/version is encoded yet — consult the linked MSRC/vendor URL.
3
Verify the fix per the vendor's published verification steps.
4
Document the remediation in your change ticket and re-scan with your vulnerability scanner to confirm closure.
PowerShell automationComing soon

No tested PowerShell script for this entry yet. We’re prioritising automation based on user demand.

References

↗ CVE-2023-41064↗ MSRC Advisory↗ NVD↗ Vendor Advisory