CVE-2023-41990

Apple Multiple Products Code Execution Vulnerability

High 7.8
Exploited: added to CISA KEV 8 Jan 2024

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.

Key facts

Published: 11 Sep 2023
Last changed: 21 Oct 2025
Assigned by: apple
KEV added: 8 Jan 2024
KEV fix due: 29 Jan 2024
EPSS: 1.388% likely to be exploited in the next 30 days, higher than 72.714% of CVEs (scores for 15 Nov 2026)
SSVC (CISA): Exploitation: active; Automatable: no; Technical impact: total

Severity scores

Each score is shown as its source gave it. They are not averaged or merged.

7.8CVSS 3.1, Highfrom CISA (ADP container)CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

What to do

Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.CISA KEV required action

Historical context and remediation

This reference retains the original CVE publication date. A recent record update does not mean a new attack occurred.

No separately sourced impact summary is available on this page yet. Consult the description, version data and dated exploitation evidence.

Version statuses below come from the CNA. An “unaffected” version is not necessarily a currently supported release or proof of a patch date. EPSS is a dated risk estimate, not a count of historical attacks.

Read the original CVE record.

Affected products

Vendor	Product	Versions
Apple	iOS and iPadOS	unspecified up to but excluding 16.3 (affected)
Apple	tvOS	unspecified up to but excluding 16.3 (affected)
Apple	iOS and iPadOS	unspecified up to but excluding 15.7 (affected)
Apple	macOS	unspecified up to but excluding 11.7 (affected)
Apple	macOS	unspecified up to but excluding 13.2 (affected)
Apple	macOS	unspecified up to but excluding 12.6 (affected)
Apple	watchOS	unspecified up to but excluding 9.3 (affected)

Timeline

11 Sep 2023 Published
8 Jan 2024 CVE-2023-41990 added to CISA KEV
8 Jan 2024 Added to the CISA KEV catalogue