1. Cleus
  2. Zero-days
  3. CVE-2023-41990
Exploited in the wildComputers & everyday appsCould reach you

CVE-2023-41990 Apple Multiple Products: command or code injection

In plain words: The program treats text it receives as instructions instead of plain data. The attacker can run commands on the machine — often the whole device is taken over.

Confirmed exploited by CISA on · US federal patch deadline Jan 29, 2024

What to do

  1. Install Apple's security update for Multiple Products. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships.
  2. Turn on automatic updates for the operating system and for Office, PDF and archive apps.
  3. Be careful with unexpected attachments — documents, .zip/.rar files and shortcuts are common bait.
  4. Use a normal (non-admin) account day to day and keep built-in protection like Microsoft Defender on.

Read Apple's advisory ↗

Who is affected

Could reach you. This one is aimed at devices or apps of the kind people own.

What's at risk: Your files, saved passwords and accounts. Many of these let a program that is already running gain full administrator control.

The details

Official name
Apple Multiple Products Code Execution Vulnerability
Product
Apple Multiple Products
CISA description
Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS contain an unspecified vulnerability that allows for code execution when processing a font file.
Type of flaw
Command or code injection
Confirmed exploited
Jan 8, 2024
US federal patch deadline
Jan 29, 2024

Ask Cleus about it

Ask about a vulnerability, an update, a weird message, or the news. Plain-word answers, free, no account.

Answering about CVE-2023-41990 ·

Questions about CVE-2023-41990

Is CVE-2023-41990 being exploited?

Yes. CISA added CVE-2023-41990 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on Jan 8, 2024, which means there is reliable evidence of real-world attacks.

How do I fix CVE-2023-41990?

Install Apple's security update for Multiple Products. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships. Turn on automatic updates for the operating system and for Office, PDF and archive apps.

Am I affected by CVE-2023-41990?

Only if you use Apple Multiple Products. This one is aimed at devices or apps of the kind people own.

Other exploited Apple vulnerabilities

Newest in the catalog

Search every known exploited vulnerability →