---
title: "CVE-2023-41990: Apple Multiple Products Code Execution Vulnerability"
url: https://erroneo.us/security/cve/CVE-2023-41990/
description: "CVE-2023-41990 (Apple Multiple Products): Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV). The issue was addressed with improved handling of caches. This issue is fixed in…"
type: vulnerability-record
section: "Security Digest"
date_published: 2023-09-11
date_modified: 2025-10-21
publisher: erroneo.us
author: erroneo.us Security Desk
cve: "CVE-2023-41990"
kev: true
cvss: 7.8
epss: 0.01388
license: All rights reserved. Quote with attribution and a link.
---

# CVE-2023-41990: Apple Multiple Products Code Execution Vulnerability

**Signal:** Exploited: patch now if you run it. CISA has confirmed exploitation in the wild. (Computed from CISA KEV, EPSS and CVSS; not an editorial verdict.)

## Should you act?

- Yes, if you run Apple Multiple Products. CISA added this CVE to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2024-01-08, which means there is reliable evidence of exploitation in the wild. US federal agencies must remediate by 2024-01-29 ; treat that as the outer limit, not the target.
- EPSS 1.4% , percentile 72: FIRST’s model estimates a 1.4% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 72% of all scored CVEs (moderate). EPSS is a probability, not a verdict.
- Needs local access needed. Lower urgency for most teams unless an attacker could already run code on the machine.

## What it is

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.

## Affected products (CVE record)

- Apple iOS and iPadOS: unspecified < 16.3
- Apple tvOS: unspecified < 16.3
- Apple iOS and iPadOS: unspecified < 15.7
- Apple macOS: unspecified < 11.7
- Apple macOS: unspecified < 13.2
- Apple macOS: unspecified < 12.6
- Apple watchOS: unspecified < 9.3

## Severity

- CISA-ADP CVSS 3.1: 7.8 `CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`

## Exploitation

- CISA KEV: added 2024-01-08; federal due date 2024-01-29. Known ransomware use: Unknown.
- CISA required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
- CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation active , automatable no , technical impact total .
- FIRST EPSS (model of 2026-10-21): 1.39% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 72.

## Sources

- [Listed in CISA KEV notes (support.apple.com)](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213599)
- [Listed in CISA KEV notes (support.apple.com)](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213601)
- [Listed in CISA KEV notes (support.apple.com)](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213605)
- [Listed in CISA KEV notes (support.apple.com)](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213606)
- [Listed in CISA KEV notes (support.apple.com)](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213842)
- [Listed in CISA KEV notes (support.apple.com)](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213844)
- [Listed in CISA KEV notes (support.apple.com)](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213845)
- [CVE.org record CVE-2023-41990](https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-41990)
- [NVD entry CVE-2023-41990](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-41990)
- [CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog entry](https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-41990)

---
Source page: https://erroneo.us/security/cve/CVE-2023-41990/ · Security Digest: https://erroneo.us/security/ · More: https://erroneo.us/llms.txt