CVE-2023-41991KEV · OVERDUE

Apple Multiple Products Improper Certificate Validation Vulnerability

Medium · published September 21, 2023

Patch now

The score understates this — it's already being exploited

CVSS calls it medium at 5.5. It is confirmed in active exploitation. It sits in the 96.4th percentile for exploit probability.

1105
days past CISA
deadline
CVSS v3.1
5.5
EPSS
13%
Percentile
96.4
In the wild
Confirmed
What it is

⚠️ A sneaky certificate validation issue lets malicious apps bypass signature checks—think of it as a bouncer letting in party crashers without checking IDs! 🔍 Imagine you’re at a nightclub where the bouncer is supposed to check IDs, but one day, they’ve decided to just take everyone’s word for it. Suddenly, anyone could stroll in—no ID, no problem! That’s what this vulnerability does for malicious applications trying to access your device. If unaddressed, a crafty app could gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or execute harmful actions, turning your trusted device into a playground for mischief! This isn't just a minor nuisance; it could lead to serious privacy breaches or data loss in the wrong hands.

Put simply

Imagine you’re at a nightclub where the bouncer is supposed to check IDs, but one day, they’ve decided to just take everyone’s word for it. Suddenly, anyone could stroll in—no ID, no problem! That’s what this vulnerability does for malicious applications trying to access your device. This vulnerability arises from inadequate validation of certificate signatures, allowing malicious applications to impersonate legitimate ones. Apple has confirmed reports indicating that this issue may have been exploited in versions prior to iOS 16.7.

What to do

If unaddressed, a crafty app could gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or execute harmful actions, turning your trusted device into a playground for mischief! This isn't just a minor nuisance; it could lead to serious privacy breaches or data loss in the wrong hands. To protect your devices, update to macOS Ventura 13.6, iOS 16.7, or iPadOS 16.7 immediately! Ensure all your apps are from verified sources and be cautious about what you install. Don't skip the updates—this one is essential! You’ve got this! By taking these steps, you'll secure your device and keep those pesky apps at bay! 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v3.1
5.5 · MEDIUM
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.13380 · 96.4th percentile
Published
2023-09-21T18:23Z
KEV added
2023-09-25 · due 2023-10-16
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 25 SEP 00:00Z
    Added to CISA KEV — remediate by Oct 16
    kev
  • 21 SEP 18:23Z
    A certificate validation issue was addressed
    cvelistv5