UNIX symbolic link following in iPadOS and Apple iOS - CVE-2023-42942
Published: February 19, 2024
Vulnerability identifier: #VU86567
CSH Severity: Low
CVSS v4 BT: 5.9 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Clear]
CVE-ID: CVE-2023-42942
CWE-ID: CWE-61
Exploitation vector: Local access
Exploit availability:
No public exploit available
Vulnerability details
The vulnerability allows a local application to escalate privileges on the system.
The vulnerability exists due to a symlink following issue in libxpc. A local application can create a specially crafted symbolic link to a critical file on the system and overwrite it with privileges of the application.
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may result in privilege escalation.
Affected software
iPadOS
Apple iOS
tvOS
watchOS
macOS
Apple iOS
tvOS
watchOS
macOS
How to mitigate CVE-2023-42942
Install updates from vendor's website.
iPadOS - addressed in versions 16.7.2, 17.1
Apple iOS - addressed in versions 16.7.2 20H115, 17.1 21B74
tvOS - update to 17.1
watchOS - update to 10.1
macOS - addressed in versions 13.6.1 22G313, 14.1 23B74
Apple iOS - addressed in versions 16.7.2 20H115, 17.1 21B74
tvOS - update to 17.1
watchOS - update to 10.1
macOS - addressed in versions 13.6.1 22G313, 14.1 23B74