CVE-2023-42884: Apple iPadOS Information Disclosure Flaw

CVE-2023-42884 Overview

CVE-2023-42884 is an information disclosure vulnerability affecting multiple Apple operating systems including macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and tvOS. The vulnerability stems from improper redaction of sensitive information, which allows a malicious application to potentially disclose kernel memory contents. This type of kernel memory information leak can expose sensitive data structures, memory addresses, and potentially aid attackers in bypassing security mitigations such as Kernel Address Space Layout Randomization (KASLR).

Critical Impact

A malicious application can read sensitive kernel memory contents, potentially exposing cryptographic keys, authentication tokens, or memory layout information that could facilitate further exploitation.

Affected Products

• Apple macOS (versions prior to Sonoma 14.2 and Ventura 13.6.3)
• Apple iOS and iPadOS (versions prior to 17.2 and 16.7.3)
• Apple tvOS (versions prior to 17.2)

Discovery Timeline

• December 12, 2023 - CVE-2023-42884 published to NVD
• November 4, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2023-42884

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor). The flaw exists in how Apple's operating systems handle the redaction of sensitive kernel memory information when accessed by user-space applications. Under normal circumstances, applications should not have visibility into kernel memory contents due to strict memory isolation between user space and kernel space.

The vulnerability allows an application running with standard user privileges to access memory regions that should be protected by the kernel. This information disclosure can reveal the internal state of the kernel, including memory layout details that are typically randomized by KASLR to prevent exploitation of other vulnerabilities.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2023-42884 lies in insufficient input/output sanitization when the kernel returns data to user-space applications. Sensitive kernel memory contents were not being properly redacted before being exposed through system interfaces. Apple addressed this by implementing improved redaction mechanisms to ensure that sensitive kernel information is properly sanitized before being returned to applications.

Attack Vector

The vulnerability requires local access and user interaction to exploit. An attacker would need to convince a user to install and execute a malicious application on the target device. Once running, the application can leverage the vulnerability to read kernel memory contents without requiring elevated privileges.

The attack scenario typically involves:

1. A malicious application is delivered to the target device through social engineering or app store compromise
2. The user executes the application, triggering the vulnerable code path
3. The application reads exposed kernel memory, extracting sensitive information
4. The leaked information can be used to defeat KASLR or extract sensitive data for further attacks

Detection Methods for CVE-2023-42884

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual application behavior involving excessive system calls to kernel interfaces
• Applications attempting to read or dump large amounts of memory information
• Presence of unrecognized or recently installed applications from untrusted sources
• Anomalous memory access patterns from user-space applications targeting kernel regions

Detection Strategies

• Monitor for applications making unusual or excessive system calls that interact with kernel memory interfaces
• Implement behavioral analysis to detect applications attempting memory information disclosure operations
• Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of identifying suspicious memory access patterns
• Review installed applications for unsigned or unverified binaries that could exploit this vulnerability

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable comprehensive audit logging for system calls and application behavior on Apple devices
• Utilize SentinelOne's Singularity platform for real-time monitoring of endpoint behavior across macOS and iOS devices
• Implement application allowlisting to prevent unauthorized applications from executing
• Monitor for applications with excessive permissions or unusual entitlement requests

How to Mitigate CVE-2023-42884

Immediate Actions Required

• Update all affected Apple devices to the latest patched versions immediately
• Verify that macOS systems are running Sonoma 14.2 or later, or Ventura 13.6.3 or later
• Ensure iOS and iPadOS devices are updated to version 17.2 or 16.7.3 or later
• Update tvOS devices to version 17.2 or later
• Audit installed applications and remove any unrecognized or suspicious software

Patch Information

Apple has released security updates addressing this vulnerability across all affected platforms. The patches implement improved redaction of sensitive kernel information to prevent unauthorized disclosure. Security updates are available through the following Apple Support documents:

• Apple Support Document HT214034 - macOS Sonoma 14.2
• Apple Support Document HT214035 - macOS Ventura 13.6.3
• Apple Support Document HT214036 - iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2
• Apple Support Document HT214038 - tvOS 17.2
• Apple Support Document HT214040 - iOS 16.7.3 and iPadOS 16.7.3

Workarounds

• Restrict application installations to only verified sources (App Store for iOS/iPadOS, verified developers for macOS)
• Enable Gatekeeper on macOS to prevent unsigned applications from running
• Utilize Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to enforce application policies on managed devices
• Implement network segmentation to limit the impact if a device is compromised

# Verify macOS version to ensure patched
sw_vers -productVersion

# Enable Gatekeeper on macOS (if disabled)
sudo spctl --master-enable

# Check Gatekeeper status
spctl --status