High

Kernel arbitrary code execution in Apple iOS/iPadOS/watchOS

IdentifiersCVE-2023-38136CWE-787

Apple states that CVE-2023-38136 was fixed in iOS 16.6, iPadOS 16.6, and watchOS 9.6 with improved memory handling. The advisory says an app may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. The provided content does not identify the specific vulnerable component or function, but it indicates a memory-safety flaw in the kernel or a kernel-reachable subsystem that can be triggered by a local app to achieve kernel-level code execution.

For your environment

Are you exposed to this one?

Mallory correlates every CVE against your assets, your vendors, and active adversary campaigns. Know which vulnerabilities matter for you, not just which ones are loud.

Start free trial

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 may allow a locally running app to execute arbitrary code in kernel context. This would give the attacker code execution with kernel privileges, enabling full compromise of the affected device security boundary, including the ability to bypass app sandboxing, tamper with kernel state, access protected data, and potentially establish persistent or stealthy control over the device.

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 apps, enforcing strong application control via MDM where available, and prioritizing rapid deployment of Apple security updates. No vendor-specific workaround beyond updating is provided in the supplied content.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Update affected devices to iOS 16.6, iPadOS 16.6, or watchOS 9.6 or later, as Apple states the issue was fixed in those releases through improved memory handling.

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

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.

Start free trial

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