CVE-2023-28198: A use-after-free issue was addressed with improved memory management

Q: How do I fix CVE-2023-28198?

ipados: upgrade to 16.4; iphone os: upgrade to 16.4; macos: upgrade to 13.3. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2023-28198 being exploited?

CVE-2023-28198 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2023-28198 affect?

CVE-2023-28198 affects ipados, iphone os, macos. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). A use-after-free issue was addressed with improved memory management. This issue is fixed in iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4, macOS Ventura 13.3. Processing web content may lead to arbitrary code execution.

This month

HIGH 8.8UPGRADEUPGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2023-28198 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.8) affecting ipados, iphone os, macos. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A use-after-free issue was addressed with improved memory management. This issue is fixed in iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4, macOS Ventura 13.3. Processing web content may lead to arbitrary code execution.

Why this priority

High severity

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.8 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.9% (top 40%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-416
Published	2023-08-14
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Apple Inc. · Vendor: apple · webkitgtk · wpewebkit

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2023-08-14 23:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 05:47 UTCUpdated Record last modified

apple ipados UPGRADE

Affected: < 16.4

Fixed in: 16.4

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

apple iphone os UPGRADE

Affected: < 16.4

Fixed in: 16.4

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

apple macos UPGRADE

Affected: >= 13.0 and < 13.3

Fixed in: 13.3

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 13.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

webkitgtk webkitgtk UPGRADE

Affected: < 2.40.1

Fixed in: 2.40.1

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy webkitgtk || rpm -q webkitgtk || webkitgtk --version

2. UPGRADE to 2.40.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade webkitgtk

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade webkitgtk

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

wpewebkit wpe webkit UPGRADE

Affected: < 2.40.1

Fixed in: 2.40.1

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy wpe-webkit || rpm -q wpe-webkit || wpe-webkit --version

2. UPGRADE to 2.40.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade wpe-webkit

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade wpe-webkit

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2023-28198?

ipados: upgrade to 16.4; iphone os: upgrade to 16.4; macos: upgrade to 13.3. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2023-28198 being exploited?

CVE-2023-28198 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2023-28198 affect?

CVE-2023-28198 affects ipados, iphone os, macos. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). A use-after-free issue was addressed with improved memory management. This issue is fixed in iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4, macOS Ventura 13.3. Processing web content may lead to arbitrary code execution.

How urgent is CVE-2023-28198?

Priority 46/100. High severity

Software pages

iOS vulnerabilities · macOS vulnerabilities · WebKit vulnerabilities · Apple Safari and WebKit vulnerabilities · iPadOS vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

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CVE-2026-65339 MEDIUM 5.0 UPGRADE UPGRADE A logic issue was addressed with improved checks
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References

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