CVE-2023-41138: The AppsAnywhere macOS client-privileged helper can be tricked into executing arbitrary commands with elevated

Routine

HIGH 7.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2023-41138 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting appsanywhere client. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The AppsAnywhere macOS client-privileged helper can be tricked into executing arbitrary commands with elevated permissions by a local user process.

Why this priority

High severity

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	High
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.2% (top 93%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-226, CWE-269
Published	2023-11-09
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): AppCheck Ltd. · Vendor: appsanywhere

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2023-11-09 15:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 06:20 UTCUpdated Record last modified

appsanywhere appsanywhere client DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.4.0 · 1.4.1 · 1.5.1 · 1.5.2 · 1.6.0 · 2.0.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.4.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy appsanywhere-client || rpm -q appsanywhere-client || appsanywhere-client --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.4.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison appsanywhere-client sudo apt install appsanywhere-client=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.4.0> sudo apt-mark hold appsanywhere-client

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list appsanywhere-client sudo dnf downgrade appsanywhere-client-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.4.0> sudo dnf versionlock add appsanywhere-client

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

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-2023-41138?

appsanywhere client: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2023-41138 being exploited?

CVE-2023-41138 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-2023-41138 affect?

CVE-2023-41138 affects appsanywhere client. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). The AppsAnywhere macOS client-privileged helper can be tricked into executing arbitrary commands with elevated permissions by a local user process.

How urgent is CVE-2023-41138?

Priority 28/100. High severity

Software pages

macOS vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2023-41137 HIGH 8.0 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE Symmetric encryption used to protect messages between the AppsAnywhere server and client can be broken by reve

References

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