How severe is CVE-2023-42942?

CVE-2023-42942 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2023-42942 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (31st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2023-42942?

CVE-2023-42942 primarily affects Apple Ipad Os. In total, 8 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2023-42942?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

Does CVE-2023-42942 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?

Yes. CVE-2023-42942 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2023-47363.

When was CVE-2023-42942 published?

CVE-2023-42942 was published on 2024-02-21 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2023-42942

CVE-2023-42942 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apple Ipad Os with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-59.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (31st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2023-47363
Weakness: CWE-59
Affected product: Apple Ipad Os
Published: 2024-02-21
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

This issue was addressed with improved handling of symlinks. This issue is fixed in watchOS 10.1, macOS Sonoma 14.1, tvOS 17.1, iOS 16.7.2 and iPadOS 16.7.2, iOS 17.1 and iPadOS 17.1, macOS Ventura 13.6.1. A malicious app may be able to gain root privileges.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-42942?: This issue was addressed with improved handling of symlinks. This issue is fixed in watchOS 10.1, macOS Sonoma 14.1, tvOS 17.1, iOS 16.7.2 and iPadOS 16.7.2, iOS 17.1 and iPadOS 17.1, macOS Ventura 13.6.1. A malicious app may be able to gain root privileges.
How severe is CVE-2023-42942?: CVE-2023-42942 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2023-42942 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (31st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2023-42942?: CVE-2023-42942 primarily affects Apple Ipad Os. In total, 8 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2023-42942?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
Does CVE-2023-42942 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?: Yes. CVE-2023-42942 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2023-47363.
When was CVE-2023-42942 published?: CVE-2023-42942 was published on 2024-02-21 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (8)

cpe:2.3:o:apple:ipad_os:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:ipados:17.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:17.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos:14.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:tvos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:watchos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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