Apple WebContent Use-After-Free Arbitrary Code Execution
Actively exploited in the wild. Patch or mitigate immediately — don't wait for a maintenance window.
An unauthenticated attacker, remotely over the network, if a user is tricked into opening a malicious file or link, can fully compromise the system — steal data, tamper with it and take it offline.
A use-after-free issue was addressed with improved memory management. This issue is fixed in watchOS 9.5, tvOS 16.5, macOS Ventura 13.4, iOS 15.7.6 and iPadOS 15.7.6, Safari 16.5, iOS 16.5 and iPadOS 16.5. Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited.
Inferred from the weakness type (CWE) and how the flaw is reached — the techniques an attacker would chain to exploit this. Real-world corroboration appears here as threat intel is folded in.
Corroborated threat activity referencing this CVE — with source and confidence, not inference.
Named threat actors and observed ATT&CK techniques appear here as intel feeds are folded in — the ATT&CK chain above stays inferred until then.
Generated by Wavense from the CVE record — an immediate mitigation and the permanent fix.
To reduce risk before patching, users should avoid browsing untrusted websites and exercise extreme caution when opening links or files from unknown sources. Implement network-level content filtering or use a reputable ad/script blocker to minimize exposure to potentially malicious web content. Consider isolating sensitive browsing activities within a sandboxed environment where feasible.
The permanent fix involves upgrading affected Apple operating systems and Safari to the patched versions. Specifically, update to watchOS 9.5, tvOS 16.5, macOS Ventura 13.4, iOS 15.7.6/16.5, iPadOS 15.7.6/16.5, and Safari 16.5 or newer. Ensure all devices are updated promptly as this vulnerability has been exploited.
An attacker processing maliciously crafted web content can trigger a use-after-free vulnerability, leading to arbitrary code execution on the target device. This grants the attacker full control, enabling data theft, surveillance, or installation of persistent malware. This vulnerability has been actively exploited in the wild.
Other CVEs affecting ipados
An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved bounds checking. This issue is fixed in iOS 15.8.5 and iPadOS 15.8.5, iOS 16.7.12 and iPadOS 16.7.12, iOS 18.6.2 and iPadOS 18.6.2, iPadOS 17.7.10, macOS Sequoia 15.6.1, macOS Sonoma 14.7.8, macOS Ventura 13.7.8. Processing a malicious image file may result in memory corruption. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been exploited in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals.
An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved checks to prevent unauthorized actions. This issue is fixed in Safari 18.3.1, iOS 15.8.4 and iPadOS 15.8.4, iOS 16.7.11 and iPadOS 16.7.11, iOS 18.3.2 and iPadOS 18.3.2, iPadOS 17.7.6, macOS Sequoia 15.3.2, visionOS 2.3.2, watchOS 11.4. Maliciously crafted web content may be able to break out of Web Content sandbox. This is a supplementary fix for an attack that was blocked in iOS 17.2. (Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been exploited in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals on versions of iOS before iOS 17.2.).
A use after free issue was addressed with improved memory management. This issue is fixed in iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3, iPadOS 17.7.6, macOS Sequoia 15.3, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5, macOS Ventura 13.7.5, tvOS 18.3, visionOS 2.3, watchOS 11.3. A malicious application may be able to elevate privileges. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited against versions of iOS before iOS 17.2.
An authentication issue was addressed with improved state management. This issue is fixed in macOS Golden Gate 27, macOS Sequoia 15.7.9, macOS Sonoma 14.8.9, macOS Tahoe 26.6.1, macOS Tahoe 26.7. An attacker on the network may be able to authenticate to Screen Sharing without valid credentials.
This issue was addressed by removing the vulnerable code. This issue is fixed in iOS 18.4.1 and iPadOS 18.4.1, macOS Sequoia 15.4.1, tvOS 18.4.1, visionOS 2.4.1. An attacker with arbitrary read and write capability may be able to bypass Pointer Authentication. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been exploited in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals on iOS.
A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved bounds checking. This issue is fixed in iOS 18.4.1 and iPadOS 18.4.1, macOS Sequoia 15.4.1, tvOS 18.4.1, visionOS 2.4.1, watchOS 11.5. Processing an audio stream in a maliciously crafted media file may result in code execution. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been exploited in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals on versions of iOS released before iOS 18.4.1.
A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved input validation. This issue is fixed in iOS 15.3 and iPadOS 15.3, macOS Big Sur 11.6.3, macOS Monterey 12.2. A malicious application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited..
A logic issue was addressed with improved restrictions. This issue is fixed in macOS Big Sur 11.2, Security Update 2021-001 Catalina, Security Update 2021-001 Mojave, iOS 14.4 and iPadOS 14.4. A remote attacker may be able to cause arbitrary code execution. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited..