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Mallory
Critical

Kernel Privilege Arbitrary Code Execution in Apple iOS/iPadOS/macOS/watchOS/tvOS

IdentifiersCVE-2023-38598CWE-416· Use After Free

CVE-2023-38598 is a use-after-free vulnerability in Apple platforms. Apple states that the issue was addressed with improved memory management and that a malicious app may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. The vulnerability affects multiple Apple operating systems prior to the fixes released in watchOS 9.6, macOS Big Sur 11.7.9, macOS Monterey 12.6.8, macOS Ventura 13.5, tvOS 16.6, iOS 15.7.8, iPadOS 15.7.8, iOS 16.6, and iPadOS 16.6. The available advisory does not identify the specific vulnerable component or function beyond characterizing the bug class as use-after-free.

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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.

Successful exploitation can allow arbitrary code execution in kernel context. This implies full compromise of the affected device security boundary, including the ability to run code with the highest local privileges, bypass app-level isolation, tamper with kernel state, and potentially disable or evade security controls. On Apple mobile platforms, kernel-level execution can be used as a foundation for privilege escalation, sandbox escape, persistence, and broader device compromise.

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 strong application control/MDM policy on managed Apple devices, and restricting local app deployment to trusted sources. Because Apple describes exploitation as app-triggerable, mitigation is primarily operational; there is no content indicating a complete workaround short of applying the security update.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Apply the vendor fixes provided by Apple. Apple indicates the issue is fixed in watchOS 9.6, macOS Big Sur 11.7.9, macOS Monterey 12.6.8, macOS Ventura 13.5, tvOS 16.6, iOS 15.7.8, iPadOS 15.7.8, iOS 16.6, and iPadOS 16.6. Systems running earlier affected versions should be updated to the corresponding patched release or later.
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.