High

Kernel arbitrary code execution in Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS

IdentifiersCVE-2023-38580CWE-119

CVE-2023-38580 is an Apple kernel vulnerability fixed in iOS 16.6, iPadOS 16.6, macOS Ventura 13.5, and watchOS 9.6. Apple states that the issue was addressed with improved memory handling and that a malicious app may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. The provided content does not identify the specific vulnerable component, function, or precise memory-corruption subtype beyond Apple’s generic statement about memory handling.

For your environment

Are you exposed to this one?

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ANALYST BRIEF

Impact, mitigation & remediation

What it means. What to do now. Patch path, mitigations, and the assume-compromise checklist.

Impact

What an attacker gets, and what they’ve been doing with it.

Successful exploitation allows arbitrary code execution in kernel context. This can result in full compromise of the affected device, including bypass of app sandbox boundaries, elevation to the highest local privilege level, access to sensitive system and user data, and the ability to alter kernel state or security controls.

Mitigation

If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.

If immediate patching is not possible, reduce exposure by limiting installation and execution of untrusted or unnecessary applications, enforcing mobile device management controls, restricting local app deployment to trusted sources, and monitoring for signs of device compromise. These are only temporary risk-reduction measures; the primary mitigation is installation of Apple’s fixes.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Upgrade affected systems to the fixed releases provided by Apple: iOS 16.6, iPadOS 16.6, macOS Ventura 13.5, and watchOS 9.6 or later. Apply the relevant Apple security updates across all supported devices and operating systems in scope.

PUBLIC EXPLOITS

Exploits

No public exploits tracked yet. Mallory keeps watching.

VALID 0 / 0 TOTALView more in app

No public exploit code observed for this vulnerability.

EXPOSURE SURFACE

Affected products & vendors

Products and vendors Mallory has correlated with this vulnerability. Open in Mallory to drill down to specific CPE configurations and version ranges.

VendorProductType

AppleIpadosoperating_system

AppleIphone Osoperating_system

AppleMacosoperating_system

AppleWatchosoperating_system

Vendor-confirmed product mapping. Mallory continuously reconciles this list against your asset inventory.

ACTIVITY FEED

Recent activity

2 sources tracked across advisories, community write-ups, and news. New activity surfaces here as Mallory finds it.

2 SOURCESView more in app

apple supportNews

Jan 25, 2026

About the security content of iOS 16.6 and iPadOS 16.6 - Apple Support

Unknown (CVE referenced without technical description in the provided content).

apple supportNews

Jan 19, 2026

Informazioni sui contenuti di sicurezza di iOS 16.6 e iPadOS 16.6 - Supporto Apple (IT)

Vulnerabilità Apple (dettagli tecnici non specificati nel testo) corretta tramite aggiornamento di sicurezza.

What this page doesn’t show

The version that knows your environment.

This page is what’s public. Mallory adds the parts that aren’t: which of your assets are affected, which adversaries are exploiting it right now, which detections to deploy, and what to do tonight.

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Exposure mapping

Query your assets running an affected version, and investigate the blast radius.

Threat actor evidence

Every observed campaign linking this CVE to a named adversary.

Associated malware

Malware families riding this exploit, with evidence and IOCs.

Detection signatures

YARA, Sigma, Snort, and vendor rules, auto-deployed to your SIEM.

Vendor-by-vendor mapping

Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.

Social activity