A use-after-free issue was addressed with improved memory management.
Affects legacy Apple devices including iPhone 6s, iPhone 7, iPhone SE (1st generation), iPad Air 2, iPad mini (4th generation), and iPod touch (7th generation). Fixed in iOS 15.8.7 and iPadOS 15.8.7.
- Published
- Last modified
- Where the record stands: published, rejected by its publisher, or superseded by another id.What do these mean? →
- published
- Whether CISA lists it in its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog: proof that attackers are using it.What do these mean? →
- Listed in CISA KEV
- How many real-world setups can hit the bug, from the vendor's advisory and CISA data. It does not know your setup.What do these mean? →
- Actively exploited
- Fix
- Fixed in 17, 15.8.7
- Whether working attack code is public (Exploit-DB, Metasploit, Nuclei or GitHub). Public code makes attacks easier.What do these mean? →
- None on Exploit-DB, Metasploit or GitHub
Summary
This vulnerability affects Apple's iPhone and iPad operating systems (iOS and iPadOS). A malicious app could exploit it to run arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges, giving it full control over the device.
Summarized by anthropic/claude-haiku-5.5. Verify details against the original sources.
Read the original description
A use-after-free issue was addressed with improved memory management. This issue is fixed in iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, iOS 15.8.7 and iPadOS 15.8.7. An app may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.
Timeline
- CVE published
- Added to CISA KEV
CISA has evidence of exploitation in the wild
- Record last updated
- CISA remediation deadline
Due date for US federal agencies to patch
Affected versions
- Apple iOS and iPadOS
From unspecified · fixed in 17
- Apple iOS and iPadOS
From unspecified · fixed in 15.8.7
References 2
support.apple.com
Questions about CVE-2023-41974
What does this mean?
A use-after-free issue means memory is used after it has been released. Apple says an app may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.Source: support.apple.com
Am I affected, and how do I check?
The bug affects the listed legacy devices: iPhone 6s, iPhone 7, iPhone SE (1st generation), iPad Air 2, iPad mini (4th generation), and iPod touch (7th generation). To check a device, open Settings > General > About and read the iOS or iPadOS version, then compare it with 15.8.7.Source: support.apple.com
What should I do about it?
Update to iOS 15.8.7 or iPadOS 15.8.7 on the affected devices. Apple also lists iOS 17 as a fixed version for its newer line.Source: support.apple.com
Is it being exploited?
Yes. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-03-05, which means it has evidence of attacks. No public exploit code is tracked.Source: cisa.gov, cve.now feed data