HighCISA KEVExploited in the wildPublic exploit

WebKit Type Confusion Arbitrary Code Execution

IdentifiersCVE-2023-23529CWE-843· Access of Resource Using…

CVE-2023-23529 is a type confusion vulnerability in Apple's WebKit browser engine. Apple states that processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution, and that the issue was addressed with improved checks. The flaw affects Safari and Apple platforms that embed or rely on WebKit, including iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. Reported fixed versions include iOS 15.7.4 and iPadOS 15.7.4, iOS 16.3.1 and iPadOS 16.3.1, macOS Ventura 13.2.1, and Safari 16.3.1/16.3 depending on advisory wording. Apple also stated it is aware of a report that this vulnerability may have been actively exploited in the wild.

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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 can result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the WebKit content-processing component when a target processes attacker-controlled web content. In practical terms, this can allow compromise of the affected browser or WebKit-consuming application, enabling execution of attacker-supplied code and potentially serving as an initial access vector for further post-exploitation activity. Apple indicated the flaw may have been exploited in real-world attacks.

Mitigation

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

If immediate patching is not possible, reduce exposure to untrusted web content and restrict use of affected browsers and WebKit-dependent applications until updates can be deployed. Because WebKit underpins browsing on iOS and iPadOS, mitigation options are limited on those platforms; prioritizing rapid patch deployment is the primary defensive measure. Additional temporary risk reduction may include limiting access to high-risk websites, isolating high-value users, and monitoring for signs of browser or device compromise.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Apply Apple's security updates that fix CVE-2023-23529. The provided content identifies the following patched versions: iOS 15.7.4 and iPadOS 15.7.4, iOS 16.3.1 and iPadOS 16.3.1, macOS Ventura 13.2.1, and Safari 16.3.1/16.3. Organizations should update all affected Apple devices and Safari installations to the latest available vendor-supported releases, including applicable backported security updates for supported operating system branches.

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

AppleSafariapplication

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

ACTIVITY FEED

Recent activity

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

5 SOURCESView more in app

apple supportNews

Jan 24, 2026

About the security content of iOS 16.3.1 and iPadOS 16.3.1 - Apple Support

A WebKit type confusion vulnerability that can lead to arbitrary code execution via maliciously crafted web content; Apple reports it may have been actively exploited.

bleeping computerNews

Sep 21, 2023

Apple emergency updates fix 3 new zero-days exploited in attacks

A WebKit zero-day vulnerability patched in February 2023 (no additional details provided in the content).

bleeping computerNews

Jul 24, 2023

Apple fixes new zero-day used in attacks against iPhones, Macs

A WebKit zero-day vulnerability reported as exploited and patched in February 2023 (no additional technical details provided in the content).

the hacker newsNews

Feb 14, 2023

Patch Now: Apple's iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Safari Under Attack with New Zero-Day Flaw

A WebKit type confusion vulnerability reachable via malicious web content that can lead to arbitrary code execution; reported as a zero-day actively exploited in the wild.

+1 more in the timeline

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 signatures2

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

Community discussion across Reddit, Mastodon, and other social sources.

EXTERNAL REFERENCES

MITRE CVE

cve.org · CVE-2023-23529

NVD

nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-23529

MITRE CWE · CWE-843

Access of Resource Using Incompatible Type…

Vendor Advisory

support.apple.com/en-us/HT213633

Vendor Advisory

support.apple.com/en-us/HT213635

Vendor Advisory

support.apple.com/en-us/HT213638

Vendor Advisory

support.apple.com/en-us/HT213673

US Government Resource

cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-23529