CVE-2023-27937 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE record, published on May 8, 2023, under the assigner organization "Apple," highlights a vulnerability that could potentially lead to unexpected app termination or arbitrary code execution by parsing a maliciously crafted plist. The affected products include macOS, iOS and iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS, with specific versions susceptible to this exploit.

Understanding CVE-2023-27937

This section dives into the details of the CVE-2023-27937 vulnerability, its impact, technical aspects, and ways to mitigate or prevent exploitation.

What is CVE-2023-27937?

CVE-2023-27937 involves an integer overflow that has been resolved through enhanced input validation. The vulnerability specifically affects the parsing of a maliciously crafted plist, posing risks of unintended app termination or the execution of arbitrary code.

The Impact of CVE-2023-27937

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it can allow threat actors to manipulate malicious plists to trigger unexpected app terminations or execute arbitrary code on affected systems. This could lead to severe security breaches and compromise user data and system integrity.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-27937

Delving into the technical aspects of CVE-2023-27937 provides a deeper understanding of the vulnerability, its affected systems, and the mechanism of exploitation.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises due to an integer overflow and inadequate input validation, enabling threat actors to craft malicious plists that, when parsed, can trigger the exploit leading to arbitrary code execution or unexpected app termination.

Affected Systems and Versions

macOS: Versions less than 13.3, 12.6, 11.7, 11.7.5
iOS and iPadOS: Versions less than 16.4
watchOS: Versions less than 9.4
tvOS: Versions less than 16.4

Exploitation Mechanism

By crafting a malicious plist and inducing its parsing on vulnerable systems running the specified versions of the affected products, threat actors can exploit the integer overflow vulnerability to execute arbitrary code or cause app termination.

Mitigation and Prevention

Mitigating the risks associated with CVE-2023-27937 involves taking immediate actions, implementing long-term security practices, and ensuring systems are regularly patched and updated to address the vulnerability effectively.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users and administrators should update their macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS devices to the patched versions (macOS Ventura 13.3, iOS/iPadOS 16.4, macOS Big Sur 11.7.5, macOS Monterey 12.6.4, tvOS 16.4, watchOS 9.4) to mitigate the risks associated with the CVE-2023-27937 vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Maintaining a robust cybersecurity posture by keeping systems up to date, implementing security best practices, and conducting regular security audits can prevent potential exploitation of vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-27937.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitoring for security updates from Apple and promptly applying patches to address known vulnerabilities, including CVE-2023-27937, is crucial in maintaining the security and integrity of systems and data.