CVE-2023-38590: Apple iPadOS Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

CVE-2023-38590 Overview

CVE-2023-38590 is a buffer overflow vulnerability affecting multiple Apple operating systems including macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS. The vulnerability exists due to improper memory handling in the kernel, which could allow a remote user to cause unexpected system termination or corrupt kernel memory. Apple addressed this issue with improved memory handling in security updates released in July 2023.

Critical Impact

A remote attacker could exploit this buffer overflow to cause system crashes or corrupt kernel memory, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with kernel privileges across multiple Apple device ecosystems.

Affected Products

• Apple iOS versions prior to 15.7.8 and 16.6
• Apple iPadOS versions prior to 15.7.8 and 16.6
• Apple macOS Big Sur versions prior to 11.7.9
• Apple macOS Monterey versions prior to 12.6.8
• Apple macOS Ventura versions prior to 13.5
• Apple watchOS versions prior to 9.6
• Apple tvOS versions prior to 16.6

Discovery Timeline

• July 28, 2023 - CVE-2023-38590 published to NVD
• November 21, 2024 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2023-38590

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-120 (Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input), commonly known as a classic buffer overflow. The flaw resides in the kernel's memory handling routines across Apple's operating system family. When processing certain data, the kernel fails to properly validate input boundaries, allowing data to overflow allocated buffer spaces.

The network-based attack vector means that exploitation can occur remotely, though user interaction is required for successful exploitation. This likely involves a victim accessing malicious content or interacting with attacker-controlled data that triggers the vulnerable code path. Once triggered, the buffer overflow can corrupt adjacent kernel memory regions, potentially allowing an attacker to overwrite critical kernel data structures.

Root Cause

The root cause is insufficient bounds checking during buffer copy operations within kernel memory handling routines. When processing input data, the kernel code does not properly verify that the data size fits within the allocated buffer before copying, allowing excess data to overflow into adjacent memory regions. This is a classic buffer overflow pattern where the size of input is not validated against the destination buffer capacity.

Attack Vector

The vulnerability is exploitable over the network, requiring user interaction to trigger. An attacker could craft malicious content that, when processed by an affected Apple device, triggers the buffer overflow condition. The attack flow involves:

1. Attacker prepares specially crafted data designed to overflow kernel buffers
2. Victim interacts with malicious content (potentially through a web page, document, or network service)
3. The vulnerable kernel code processes the malicious input without proper bounds checking
4. Buffer overflow occurs, corrupting kernel memory
5. Attacker achieves system termination or potential code execution in kernel context

The vulnerability affects the kernel across multiple Apple platforms, indicating it exists in shared code used across iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS. This broad impact makes it particularly significant for organizations managing Apple device fleets.

Detection Methods for CVE-2023-38590

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected kernel panics or system crashes, particularly when accessing network content or processing external data
• System log entries indicating memory corruption or kernel-level exceptions
• Devices experiencing repeated unexpected reboots without apparent cause
• Crash reports referencing kernel memory handling routines

Detection Strategies

• Monitor for kernel panic events across managed Apple device fleets using MDM solutions
• Implement endpoint detection rules to identify suspicious crash patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts
• Review system diagnostic logs for memory-related kernel errors or unexpected terminations
• Deploy network monitoring to detect potentially malicious content targeting Apple devices

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable crash reporting and centralize collection of kernel panic logs from all managed Apple devices
• Configure alerting for multiple kernel panics occurring within short time windows on the same device
• Monitor network traffic for known patterns associated with buffer overflow exploitation attempts
• Use SentinelOne's behavioral AI engine to detect anomalous kernel-level activity indicative of memory corruption attacks

How to Mitigate CVE-2023-38590

Immediate Actions Required

• Update all Apple devices to the patched versions immediately: iOS 15.7.8/16.6, iPadOS 15.7.8/16.6, macOS Big Sur 11.7.9, macOS Monterey 12.6.8, macOS Ventura 13.5, watchOS 9.6, tvOS 16.6
• Prioritize patching for devices that regularly access untrusted network content or external data sources
• Implement network-level protections to filter potentially malicious content while patching is in progress
• Audit device inventory to identify any unmanaged or outdated Apple devices on the network

Patch Information

Apple has released security updates addressing this vulnerability across all affected platforms. Organizations should apply the following updates:

• iOS and iPadOS: Update to version 15.7.8 or 16.6 - See Apple Support Article HT213841 and Apple Support Article HT213842
• macOS Ventura: Update to version 13.5 - See Apple Support Article HT213843
• macOS Monterey: Update to version 12.6.8 - See Apple Support Article HT213844
• macOS Big Sur: Update to version 11.7.9 - See Apple Support Article HT213845
• watchOS: Update to version 9.6 - See Apple Support Article HT213846
• tvOS: Update to version 16.6 - See Apple Support Article HT213848

Workarounds

• Limit exposure of unpatched devices to untrusted network content and external data sources
• Implement network segmentation to isolate unpatched Apple devices from potentially hostile traffic
• Use web content filtering to block access to known malicious sites that could serve exploitation content
• Consider temporarily restricting user-initiated network activity on critical unpatched devices until updates can be applied

# Verify current macOS version
sw_vers

# Check for available updates via command line
softwareupdate --list

# Install all available updates
softwareupdate --install --all

# For managed environments, use MDM to push updates
# Example: Verify device compliance status
system_profiler SPSoftwareDataType | grep "System Version"