Apple security updates addressing actively exploited iOS and macOS vulnerabilities
Apple published multiple security advisories across iOS/iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS releases that include fixes for vulnerabilities reported as actively exploited in the wild. Notable exploited issues include iOS/iPadOS 15.6.1 fixes for kernel and WebKit out-of-bounds writes enabling arbitrary code execution (CVE-2022-32894, CVE-2022-32893), iOS/iPadOS 16.3.1’s exploited WebKit type confusion leading to code execution (CVE-2023-23529), and iOS/iPadOS 15.7.5 plus macOS Big Sur 11.7.6 addressing an IOSurfaceAccelerator out-of-bounds write that could yield kernel-level code execution (CVE-2023-28206) alongside an exploited WebKit use-after-free (CVE-2023-28205). Apple also shipped iOS/iPadOS 16.6.1 and macOS Ventura 13.5.2 updates to remediate an exploited ImageIO buffer overflow (CVE-2023-41064) and an exploited Wallet attachment validation issue that could allow code execution (CVE-2023-41061).
Separately, Apple’s iOS 17.0.1 and watchOS 9.6.3 advisories describe two vulnerabilities (CVE-2023-41991, CVE-2023-41992) reported by Citizen Lab and Google’s Threat Analysis Group as exploited against versions prior to iOS 16.7, involving signature validation bypass and local privilege escalation. Other referenced advisories (e.g., iOS/iPadOS 16.7, iOS/iPadOS 17.2, iOS/iPadOS 18.1, iOS/iPadOS 18.3, macOS Sequoia 15.1, iOS/iPadOS 26.1, macOS Tahoe 26.1, iOS/iPadOS 26.2) primarily enumerate additional CVEs and privacy/logic/memory-safety fixes but do not clearly tie to the same specific exploited-vulnerability disclosures, indicating they are broader platform security bulletins rather than part of a single incident response.
Timeline
Sep 21, 2023
Apple releases iOS 16.7 with three actively exploited fixes
On 2023-09-21, Apple released iOS 16.7 and iPadOS 16.7, addressing CVE-2023-41992 in the kernel, CVE-2023-41991 in Security, and CVE-2023-41993 in WebKit. Apple said all three flaws may have been actively exploited against iOS versions prior to iOS 16.7.
Sep 21, 2023
Apple releases watchOS 9.6.3 for two exploited iOS-related flaws
On 2023-09-21, Apple released watchOS 9.6.3 to fix CVE-2023-41992 and CVE-2023-41991. Apple said both vulnerabilities may have been actively exploited against versions of iOS prior to iOS 16.7.
Sep 7, 2023
Apple releases iOS 16.6.1, iPadOS 16.6.1, and macOS Ventura 13.5.2
On 2023-09-07, Apple shipped iOS 16.6.1, iPadOS 16.6.1, and macOS Ventura 13.5.2 to fix CVE-2023-41064 in ImageIO and a Wallet validation flaw affecting iOS/iPadOS. Apple said the issues may have been actively exploited in the wild, and credited Citizen Lab for assistance and reporting.
Jul 24, 2023
Apple issues iOS 16.6 and iPadOS 16.6 with multiple security fixes
On 2023-07-24, Apple released iOS 16.6 and iPadOS 16.6, fixing numerous vulnerabilities across components including the kernel and WebKit. The advisory notes that at least two of the issues may have been actively exploited, and one flaw, CVE-2023-37450, had first been addressed in Rapid Security Response 16.5.1(c).
Apr 10, 2023
Apple releases macOS Big Sur 11.7.6 for exploited kernel flaw
On 2023-04-10, Apple also released macOS Big Sur 11.7.6 to address CVE-2023-28206, an IOSurfaceAccelerator out-of-bounds write that could let an app execute code with kernel privileges. Apple said it was aware of a report that the issue may have been actively exploited.
Apr 10, 2023
Apple releases iOS 15.7.5 and related updates for two exploited flaws
On 2023-04-10, Apple released iOS 15.7.5 and iPadOS 15.7.5 to fix CVE-2023-28206 in IOSurfaceAccelerator and CVE-2023-28205 in WebKit. Apple said both vulnerabilities may have been actively exploited against older iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices.
Feb 13, 2023
Apple ships iOS 16.3.1 and iPadOS 16.3.1 with exploited WebKit fix
Apple released iOS 16.3.1 and iPadOS 16.3.1 in February 2023, addressing CVE-2023-23514, CVE-2023-23524, and CVE-2023-23529. Apple noted that the WebKit type confusion flaw CVE-2023-23529 may have been actively exploited.
Aug 17, 2022
Apple releases iOS 15.6.1 and iPadOS 15.6.1 for two zero-days
On 2022-08-17, Apple released iOS 15.6.1 and iPadOS 15.6.1 to fix CVE-2022-32894 in the kernel and CVE-2022-32893 in WebKit. Apple said both flaws may have been actively exploited, allowing kernel-level code execution or code execution via malicious web content.
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