---
id: "CVE-2023-42916"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2023-42916"]
title: "An out-of-bounds read was addressed with improved input validation"
severity: "high"
cvss: 6.5
epss: null
exploited: true
status: "open"
category: "vendor"
products: [{"name": "Apple Multiple Products", "fixed": [], "affected": "", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "apple safari", "fixed": ["17.1.2"], "affected": "< 17.1.2", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "apple ipados", "fixed": ["15.8.1"], "affected": "< 15.8.1", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "apple ipados", "fixed": ["16.7.3"], "affected": ">= 16.0, < 16.7.3", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "apple ipados", "fixed": ["17.1.2"], "affected": ">= 17.0, < 17.1.2", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "apple iphone os", "fixed": ["15.8.1"], "affected": "< 15.8.1", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "apple iphone os", "fixed": ["16.7.3"], "affected": ">= 16.0, < 16.7.3", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "apple iphone os", "fixed": ["17.1.2"], "affected": ">= 17.0, < 17.1.2", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "apple macos", "fixed": ["14.1.2"], "affected": ">= 14.0, < 14.1.2", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "fedoraproject fedora", "fixed": [], "affected": "= 38", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "fedoraproject fedora", "fixed": [], "affected": "= 39", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "debian linux", "fixed": [], "affected": "= 11.0", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "debian linux", "fixed": [], "affected": "= 12.0", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "webkitgtk webkitgtk\\+", "fixed": ["2.42.3"], "affected": "< 2.42.3", "ecosystem": "vendor"}]
ecosystems: ["vendor"]
tags: ["apple", "exploited", "ios", "ipados", "macos", "safari", "vendor", "webkit"]
not_affected_if: ["non-webkit-browser-only"]
published_at: "2023-11-30T23:15:07+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-10-23T19:11:51+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-10-23T22:29:04+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "kev", "url": "https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?search_api_fulltext=CVE-2023-42916", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T19:11:51+00:00"}, {"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-42916", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T22:29:04+00:00"}]
---

# An out-of-bounds read was addressed with improved input validation

A WebKit out-of-bounds read in Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS and Safari lets a crafted web page leak sensitive memory. CISA lists it as actively exploited in the wild.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## Affected

- vendor:Apple Multiple Products affected ? fixed ?
- vendor:apple safari affected < 17.1.2 fixed 17.1.2
- vendor:apple ipados affected < 15.8.1 fixed 15.8.1
- vendor:apple ipados affected >= 16.0, < 16.7.3 fixed 16.7.3
- vendor:apple ipados affected >= 17.0, < 17.1.2 fixed 17.1.2
- vendor:apple iphone os affected < 15.8.1 fixed 15.8.1
- vendor:apple iphone os affected >= 16.0, < 16.7.3 fixed 16.7.3
- vendor:apple iphone os affected >= 17.0, < 17.1.2 fixed 17.1.2
- vendor:apple macos affected >= 14.0, < 14.1.2 fixed 14.1.2
- vendor:fedoraproject fedora affected = 38 fixed ?
- vendor:fedoraproject fedora affected = 39 fixed ?
- vendor:debian linux affected = 11.0 fixed ?
- vendor:debian linux affected = 12.0 fixed ?
- vendor:webkitgtk webkitgtk\+ affected < 2.42.3 fixed 2.42.3

## Fix

Update Apple devices to the patched iOS, iPadOS and macOS releases from Apple's security notes for this CVE; the sources do not name the exact versions.
Apply remediations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if none are available, as CISA requires.

## Timeline

- 2026-10-23T19:11:51+00:00 kev https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?search_api_fulltext=CVE-2023-42916
- 2026-10-23T22:29:04+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-42916

## From the sources

Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Safari WebKit contain an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that may disclose sensitive information when processing maliciously crafted web content. This vulnerability could impact HTML parsers that use WebKit, including but not limited to Apple Safari and non-Apple products which rely on WebKit for HTML processing.

CISA required action: Apply remediations or mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if remediation or mitigations are unavailable.

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_Free to read at a human pace. An API with keys and an MCP server are in preparation; early access: hello@infrastack.ai_