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Mallory
Critical

Kernel arbitrary code execution via integer overflow in Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS

IdentifiersCVE-2023-36495CWE-190· Integer Overflow or Wraparound

CVE-2023-36495 is an Apple kernel vulnerability caused by an integer overflow. Apple states that the issue was addressed with improved input validation. Successful exploitation may allow a local application to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. The issue affects multiple Apple platforms, including watchOS, macOS Monterey, iOS 15, iPadOS 15, tvOS, iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura prior to the fixed versions. The specific vulnerable function or subsystem is not identified in the provided content.

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For your environment

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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.

A successful exploit can result in arbitrary code execution in kernel context. This gives the attacker code execution with the highest privilege level on the affected device, enabling full compromise of the operating system, including bypass of application isolation, access to protected kernel-managed resources, and the ability to alter system behavior.

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 and application control policies where available, and prioritizing update deployment on exposed or high-value devices. No vendor-specific workaround beyond installing the fixed releases is provided in the supplied content.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Apply Apple's security updates that fix CVE-2023-36495: watchOS 9.6, macOS Monterey 12.6.8, iOS 15.7.8, iPadOS 15.7.8, tvOS 16.6, iOS 16.6, iPadOS 16.6, and macOS Ventura 13.5 or later. Apple indicates the issue was fixed through improved input validation.
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
AppleTvosoperating_system
AppleWatchosoperating_system

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

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.
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

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