# CVE-2023-41990: Apple Multiple Products Code Execution Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2023-41990-apple-multiple-products-code-execution-vulnerability  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2024-01-08. Updated: 2026-05-09  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2023-41990 · Severity: critical · CVSS 7.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2024-01-08

Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS contain a vulnerability in the handling of font files. Processing a specially crafted font file may lead to arbitrary code execution due to improper handling of caches.

Technologies: [Apple Multiple Products](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/multiple-products). Vendors: [Apple](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/apple).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2023-41990 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2023-41990 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 8 January 2024. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2023-41990?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 8 January 2024.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Apple iOS before 15.7.1; Apple iPadOS before 15.7.1; Apple macOS Monterey before 12.6.8; Apple macOS Big Sur before 11.7.9; and 3 more.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2023-41990?** A patch was published on 2023-01-23: Fixed in iOS 16.3, iPadOS 16.3, macOS Ventura 13.2, tvOS 16.3, and watchOS 9.3. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2023-41990 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2023-41990?** Check whether you run Apple Multiple Products. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Affected products

- Apple iOS before 15.7.1
- Apple iPadOS before 15.7.1
- Apple macOS Monterey before 12.6.8
- Apple macOS Big Sur before 11.7.9
- Apple macOS Ventura before 13.2
- Apple tvOS before 16.3
- Apple watchOS before 9.3

## Timeline

- 2023-01-23: patched: Fixed in iOS 16.3, iPadOS 16.3, macOS Ventura 13.2, tvOS 16.3, and watchOS 9.3.
- 2024-01-08: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog.
- 2024-01-08: disclosed: NVD publication date.
- 2024-01-08: exploited: Apple reported awareness of active exploitation against versions of iOS released before iOS 15.7.1.

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