CVE-2023-38261 Memory corruption in iOS and iPadOS
An app can execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges due to improper memory handling in Apple operating systems.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- A user has to click or open something
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2023-38261?
CVE-2023-38261 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Apple Ipados, published on 27 Jul 2023. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Official description
The issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in iOS 16.6 and iPadOS 16.6, macOS Ventura 13.5. An app may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-38261?
It affects 3 products.
Products include Apple Ipados, Apple Iphone Os, Apple Macos.
How do I fix CVE-2023-38261?
No fix has been published for CVE-2023-38261 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.
Is CVE-2023-38261 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-38261 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Apple Ipados
- CVE-2025-43300 Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS Out-of-Bounds Write
- CVE-2025-24201 Apple Multiple Products WebKit Out-of-Bounds Write
- CVE-2025-24085 Apple Multiple Products Use-After-Free
- CVE-2025-31200 Apple Multiple Products Memory Corruption
- CVE-2025-31201 Apple Multiple Products Arbitrary Read and Write
Sources
Also known as GHSA-2w9p-35fw-8hfr.