# CVE-2023-42824: Apple iOS and iPadOS Kernel Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2023-42824-apple-ios-and-ipados-kernel-privilege-escalation-vulnerability  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2023-10-05. Updated: 2026-05-09  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2023-42824 · Severity: critical · CVSS 7.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2023-10-05

A kernel privilege escalation vulnerability in Apple iOS and iPadOS allows a local attacker to elevate their privileges. The issue was addressed with improved checks and has been reported as actively exploited in the wild against versions prior to iOS 16.6.

Technologies: [Apple iPadOS](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/ipados), [Apple macOS](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/macos), [Apple watchOS](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/watchos), [Cisco IOS](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/ios). Vendors: [Apple](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/apple), [Cisco](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/cisco).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2023-42824 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2023-42824 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 5 October 2023. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2023-42824?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 5 October 2023.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Apple iOS < 16.7.1, 17.0 to < 17.0.3; Apple iPadOS < 16.7.1, 17.0 to < 17.0.3.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2023-42824?** A patch was published on 2023-10-25: Fixed in iOS/iPadOS 16.7.1 and 17.0.3 Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2023-42824 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2023-42824?** Check whether you run Apple iPadOS, Apple macOS, Apple watchOS or one of the others listed. 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 < 16.7.1, 17.0 to < 17.0.3
- Apple iPadOS < 16.7.1, 17.0 to < 17.0.3

## Timeline

- 2023-10-05: disclosed
- 2023-10-05: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
- 2023-10-25: patched: Fixed in iOS/iPadOS 16.7.1 and 17.0.3
- 2023-10-05: exploited: Apple aware of reports of active exploitation against versions before iOS 16.6

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