CVE-2023-28205: Apple Multiple Products WebKit Use-After-Free Vulnerability

Published Apr 7, 2023
·
Updated

A use after free issue was addressed with improved memory management. This issue is fixed in iOS 15.7.5 and iPadOS 15.7.5, Safari 16.4.1, iOS 16.4.1 and iPadOS 16.4.1, macOS Ventura 13.3.1. 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.

Other sources

A use after free issue was addressed with improved memory management. This issue is fixed in Safari 16.4.1, iOS 15.7.5 and iPadOS 15.7.5, iOS 16.4.1 and iPadOS 16.4.1, macOS Ventura 13.3.1. 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.

Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Safari WebKit contain a use-after-free vulnerability that leads to code execution when processing maliciously crafted web content. This vulnerability could impact HTML parsers that use WebKit, including but not limited to Apple Safari and non-Apple products which rely on WebKit for HTML processing.

— CISA

CVE-2023-28205 (WebKit)

It is a use-after-free vulnerability that allows attackers to process maliciously crafted web content that may lead to arbitrary code execution.

By tricking targets into loading malicious websites under the control of attackers, it is possible to exploit the vulnerability, which could lead to the execution of malware on compromised systems. Maliciously designed web content can cause the execution of arbitrary code, giving attackers access to your device without your knowledge. Apple has fixed this vulnerability with improved memory management.

WebKit Bugzilla: 254797

https://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2023/Apr/1 https://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2023/Apr/2 https://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2023/Apr/3

— Red Hat

WebKit. A use after free issue was addressed with improved memory management.

Affected Software

19 affected componentsFixes available
ubuntu/webkit2gtk<2.38.6-0ubuntu0.20.04.1
2.38.6-0ubuntu0.20.04.1
ubuntu/webkit2gtk<2.38.6-0ubuntu0.22.04.1
2.38.6-0ubuntu0.22.04.1
ubuntu/webkit2gtk<2.38.6-0ubuntu0.22.10.1
2.38.6-0ubuntu0.22.10.1
ubuntu/webkit2gtk<2.40.1-0ubuntu0.23.04.1
2.40.1-0ubuntu0.23.04.1
debian/webkit2gtk<=2.36.4-1~deb10u1
2.38.6-0+deb10u12.40.5-1~deb11u12.42.1-1~deb11u22.40.5-1~deb12u12.42.1-1~deb12u12.42.1-2
debian/wpewebkit
2.38.6-1~deb11u12.38.6-12.42.1-1
Apple Multiple Products
macOS Ventura<13.3.1
13.3.1
Safari<16.4.1
16.4.1
Apple iOS and iPadOS<15.7.5
15.7.5
Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS<15.7.5
15.7.5
Apple iOS and iPadOS<16.4.1
16.4.1
Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS<16.4.1
16.4.1
Safari<16.4.1
Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS<15.7.5
Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS>=16.0<16.4.1
iPhone OS<15.7.5
iPhone OS>=16.0<16.4.1
macOS<13.3.1

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/webkit2gtk to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.38.6-0ubuntu0.20.04.1
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/webkit2gtk to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.38.6-0ubuntu0.22.04.1
  3. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/webkit2gtk to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.38.6-0ubuntu0.22.10.1
  4. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/webkit2gtk to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.40.1-0ubuntu0.23.04.1
  5. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/webkit2gtk to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.38.6-0+deb10u1Fixed in 2.40.5-1~deb11u1Fixed in 2.42.1-1~deb11u2Fixed in 2.40.5-1~deb12u1Fixed in 2.42.1-1~deb12u1Fixed in 2.42.1-2
  6. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/wpewebkit to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.38.6-1~deb11u1Fixed in 2.38.6-1Fixed in 2.42.1-1
  7. Upgrade

    Upgrade macOS Ventura to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 13.3.1
  8. Upgrade

    Upgrade Safari to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 16.4.1
  9. Upgrade

    Upgrade Apple iOS and iPadOS to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 15.7.5
  10. Upgrade

    Upgrade Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 15.7.5
  11. Upgrade

    Upgrade Apple iOS and iPadOS to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 16.4.1
  12. Upgrade

    Upgrade Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 16.4.1
  13. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/webkit2gtk to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.38.6-0+deb10u1
  14. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/webkit2gtk to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.40.5-1~deb11u1
  15. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/webkit2gtk to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.42.1-1~deb11u2
  16. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/webkit2gtk to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.40.5-1~deb12u1
  17. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/webkit2gtk to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.42.1-1~deb12u1
  18. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/webkit2gtk to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.42.1-2
  19. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/wpewebkit to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.38.6-1~deb11u1
  20. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/wpewebkit to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.38.6-1
  21. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/wpewebkit to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.42.1-1

Event History

Apr 10, 2023
CVE Published
via MITRE·12:00 AM
Known Exploited
via CISA·12:00 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·12:00 AM
DescriptionWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·07:15 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Apr 11, 2023
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·05:51 AM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
May 9, 2023
Data Sourced
09:25 AM
Description

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

Peer vulnerabilities

Found alongside the following vulnerabilities.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is CVE-2023-28205?

CVE-2023-28205 is a use-after-free vulnerability in Apple Multiple Products WebKit that allows for arbitrary code execution.

2

Which products are affected by CVE-2023-28205?

The affected products include macOS Ventura 13.3.1, Safari 16.4.1, iOS 15.7.5, and iPadOS 15.7.5.

3

How can I fix the CVE-2023-28205 vulnerability on my Apple device?

You can fix the CVE-2023-28205 vulnerability by updating your device to iOS 15.7.5 or iPadOS 15.7.5, Safari 16.4.1, or macOS Ventura 13.3.1.

4

What is the severity of CVE-2023-28205?

CVE-2023-28205 has a severity rating of 8.8 (high).

5

Are there any references for CVE-2023-28205?

Yes, you can find references for CVE-2023-28205 at the following links: [Link 1](http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2023/Apr/1), [Link 2](http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2023/Apr/2), [Link 3](http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2023/Apr/3).

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