CVE-2023-42942

Name: CVE-2023-42942
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2024-02-21T07:15:50.963+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 0.39%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2023-42942 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. This issue was addressed with improved handling of symlinks. This issue is fixed in watchOS 10.1, macOS Sonoma 14.1, tvOS 17.1, iOS 16.7.2 and iPadOS 16.7.2, iOS 17.1 and iPadOS 17.1, macOS Ventura 13.6.1. EPSS estimates a 0.39% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

This issue was addressed with improved handling of symlinks. This issue is fixed in watchOS 10.1, macOS Sonoma 14.1, tvOS 17.1, iOS 16.7.2 and iPadOS 16.7.2, iOS 17.1 and iPadOS 17.1, macOS Ventura 13.6.1. A malicious app may be able to gain root privileges.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

0.39%

30.5th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Apple	Ipad Os	< 16.7.2
Apple	Ipados	17.0
Apple	Iphone Os	< 16.7.2
Apple	Iphone Os	17.0
Apple	Macos	>= 13.0, < 13.6.1
Apple	Macos	14.0
Apple	Tvos	<= 17.1
Apple	Watchos	< 10.1

References

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213981Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213982Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213984Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213985Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213987Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213988Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213981Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213982Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213984Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213985Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213987Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213988Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT213982
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT213984
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT213988

Timeline

Published: Feb 21, 2024
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2023-42942?

How severe is CVE-2023-42942?

CVE-2023-42942 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.39% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2023-42942?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2023-42942?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST