CVE-2023-23537 is a recently addressed vulnerability found in macOS Ventura 13.3, iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4, iOS 15.7.4 and iPadOS 15.7.4, watchOS 9.4, and macOS Big Sur 11.7.5. This vulnerability highlights a privacy issue where an app may be able to read sensitive location information, resulting in compromised private data. In this blog post, we will delve deeper into this vulnerability and discuss how it was addressed with improved private data redaction for log entries.

Improved Private Data Redaction for Log Entries

To understand the impact of CVE-2023-23537, let's first have a look at how location data privacy works for apps in macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. Apple's CLLocationManager API is responsible for providing location data to the apps, and keeps track of the user's location through GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. Developers need to request permission from the user to access their location data, and the user can choose whether to grant or deny access.

However, despite these permissions, CVE-2023-23537 highlights a vulnerability in the system that allows an app to access sensitive location information without the user's consent. To mitigate this privacy concern, Apple has implemented improved private data redaction measures for log entries in the affected platforms.

Here's a code snippet that demonstrates the vulnerability

#import <CoreLocation/CoreLocation.h>

@interface LocationManagerDelegate : NSObject <CLLocationManagerDelegate>
@end

@implementation LocationManagerDelegate

-(void)locationManager:(CLLocationManager *)manager didUpdateLocations:(NSArray<CLLocation *> *)locations {
    for (CLLocation *location in locations) {
        NSLog(@"[INFO] User location: %@", location);
    }
}
@end

In the code above, the application logs the user's location. However, due to the privacy issue, this sensitive information could be read by the app even without the user's permission. With the improved private data redaction measures, this information would no longer be accessible to apps without valid permission from the user.

Exploit Details

CVE-2023-23537 is classified as a Medium-risk vulnerability with a CVSS (Common Vulnerability Scoring System) score of 5.3. This classification implies that the vulnerability could potentially have a moderate impact on user privacy.

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker could create a malicious app that would attempt to access the user's location without proper permission. The app could then use this information for various nefarious purposes, such as tracking users or violating their privacy.

Original References

Apple has officially acknowledged and addressed CVE-2023-23537 in their platforms. The company has released security updates for macOS Ventura 13.3, iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4, iOS 15.7.4 and iPadOS 15.7.4, watchOS 9.4, and macOS Big Sur 11.7.5. You can find more details about the vulnerability and security updates in Apple's official security advisory:

1. Apple Security Advisory

Conclusion

CVE-2023-23537 highlights the importance of continuously monitoring and updating our systems to maintain security and privacy. Thanks to Apple's continuous efforts in addressing vulnerabilities and releasing security updates, users can now rest assured that their sensitive location information is protected. It's always a good practice to keep your devices updated with the latest security patches and stay vigilant for potential privacy and security risks.

Timeline

Published on: 05/08/2023 20:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 07/27/2023 04:15:00 UTC