Apple Multiple Products WebKit Out-of-Bounds Read Vulnerability (CVE-2023-42916)

Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Safari WebKit contain an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that may disclose sensitive information when processing maliciously crafted web content. This vulnerability could impact HTML parsers that use WebKit, including but not limited to Apple Safari and non-Apple products which rely on WebKit for HTML processing.

Published Nov 30, 2023 · Updated May 29, 2026

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Why patchRisk explained in plain English

Worst-case scenarioIf unpatched

A remote attacker, without authentication, can achieve full data confidentiality loss. Federal agencies are required to remediate by 2023-12-25 under CISA BOD 22-01.

How the attack worksNo clicks needed

This is a Out-of-bounds Read (CWE-125) vulnerability in Apple Multiple Products. An out-of-bounds read was addressed with improved input validation. This issue is fixed in iOS 17.1.2 and iPadOS 17.1.2, macOS Sonoma 14.1.2, Safari 17.1.2. Processing web content may disclose sensitive information. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been exploited against versions of iOS before iOS 16.7.1. Exploitation requires remote network access, low attack complexity, no authentication required, and user interaction required.

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Phishing link

→

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Malicious file

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Server compromised

Am I affected?Quick check

Probably yes if any of these apply:

●Apple Device Administrators

●Endpoint Security

●IT Security

●Running safari: v < 17.1.2; ipados: v < 15.8.1, 16.0 ≤ v < 16.7.3, 17.0 ≤ v < 17.1.2; iphone os: v < 15.8.1, 16.0 ≤ v < 16.7.3, 17.0 ≤ v < 17.1.2; macos: 14.0 ≤ v < 14.1.2; fedora: 38, 39; debian linux: 11.0, 12.0; webkitgtk\+: v < 2.42.3

Real-world incidentsWhat we've seen

CISA added this CVE to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2023-12-04 based on evidence of active exploitation in the wild. Federal agencies required to remediate by 2023-12-25.

How to patch

Get the fix

Apply the fixed package from your vendor. The advisory lists affected versions and the exact fixed build.

↗ Vendor advisory

Manual remediation steps

Identify affected hosts: query inventory for general installs in scope.

Apply the vendor security update referenced in CVE-2023-42916's advisory. No specific KB/version is encoded yet — consult the linked MSRC/vendor URL.

Verify the fix per the vendor's published verification steps.

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