CVE-2023-42974: A race condition was addressed with improved state handling

Q: How do I fix CVE-2023-42974?

ipad os: upgrade to 16.7.3; ipados: upgrade to 17.2; iphone os: upgrade to 16.7.3, 17.2. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2023-42974 being exploited?

CVE-2023-42974 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-2023-42974 affect?

CVE-2023-42974 affects ipad os, ipados, iphone os. Severity is high (CVSS 7.0). A race condition was addressed with improved state handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Monterey 12.7.2, macOS Ventura 13.6.3, iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2, iOS 16.7.3 and iPadOS 16.7.3, macOS Sonoma 14.2. An app may be able to execute arbitr

Routine

HIGH 7.0UPGRADEUPGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2023-42974 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.0) affecting ipad os, ipados, iphone os. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A race condition was addressed with improved state handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Monterey 12.7.2, macOS Ventura 13.6.3, iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2, iOS 16.7.3 and iPadOS 16.7.3, macOS Sonoma 14.2. An app may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.

Why this priority

High severity

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.0 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.1% (top 96%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-362
Published	2024-03-28
Last modified	2026-06-17

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

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2024-03-28 16:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 06:24 UTCUpdated Record last modified

apple ipad os UPGRADE

Affected: < 16.7.3

Fixed in: 16.7.3

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 ipados UPGRADE

Affected: >= 17.0 and < 17.2

Fixed in: 17.2

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 17.0

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.

apple iphone os UPGRADE

Affected: < 16.7.3 · >= 17.0 and < 17.2

Fixed in: 16.7.3, 17.2

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 17.0

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.

apple macos UPGRADE

Affected: >= 12.0 and < 12.7.2 · >= 13.0 and < 13.6.3 · >= 14.0 and < 14.2

Fixed in: 12.7.2, 13.6.3, 14.2

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 12.0

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.

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-2023-42974?

ipad os: upgrade to 16.7.3; ipados: upgrade to 17.2; iphone os: upgrade to 16.7.3, 17.2. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2023-42974 being exploited?

CVE-2023-42974 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-2023-42974 affect?

CVE-2023-42974 affects ipad os, ipados, iphone os. Severity is high (CVSS 7.0). A race condition was addressed with improved state handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Monterey 12.7.2, macOS Ventura 13.6.3, iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2, iOS 16.7.3 and iPadOS 16.7.3, macOS Sonoma 14.2. An app may be able to execute arbitr

How urgent is CVE-2023-42974?

Priority 25/100. High severity

Software pages

iOS vulnerabilities · macOS vulnerabilities · iPadOS vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2025-24203 MEDIUM 5.0 UPGRADE UPGRADE The issue was addressed with improved checks
CVE-2024-44297 MEDIUM 6.5 UPGRADE UPGRADE The issue was addressed with improved bounds checks
CVE-2024-44139 LOW 2.4 UPGRADE UPGRADE The issue was addressed with improved checks
CVE-2024-23297 MEDIUM 5.5 UPGRADE UPGRADE The issue was addressed with improved checks
CVE-2024-23293 MEDIUM 4.6 UPGRADE UPGRADE This issue was addressed through improved state management

References

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