Exploited vulnerability · CISA KEV

Is CVE-2023-41974 exploited? Yes: in CISA KEV since 5 Mar 2026

Gociux · Apple iOS and iPadOS · data: CISA KEV, CVE record, FIRST EPSS

Yes. CVE-2023-41974, Apple iOS and iPadOS Use-After-Free Vulnerability, is being exploited in the wild. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 5 Mar 2026, 785 days after it was published. It affects Apple iOS and iPadOS. If you run it, CISA's required action is: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

exploitedYesCISA KEV · 5 Mar 2026

ransomwareNot knownno confirmed use

EPSSbelow top 10%lower predicted activity right now (it is still confirmed exploited)

severity7.8CVSS 3.1 · high

US federal due26 Mar 2026BOD 22-01 deadline

What it is

Apple iOS and iPadOS contain a use-after-free vulnerability. An app may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.

Vendor	Apple (96 exploited CVEs in KEV)
Product	iOS and iPadOS
Vulnerability	Apple iOS and iPadOS Use-After-Free Vulnerability
Weakness	CWE-416
Published	10 Jan 2024
Added to KEV	5 Mar 2026
Reported by (CNA)	apple

What to do

Check whether you run it. Look for iOS and iPadOS in your asset inventory, including appliances and cloud images. Stack check lists every exploited Apple CVE at once.
Apply the fix. Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
If you can't patch today, take the affected service off the internet or restrict who can reach it, and check its logs for signs of compromise since 10 Jan 2024.
Get told next time. Email alerts when CISA adds a CVE for Apple.

Other exploited CVEs in iOS and iPadOS

CVE-2025-24200: Apple iOS and iPadOS Incorrect Authorization Vulnerability (12 Feb 2025)
CVE-2023-42824: Apple iOS and iPadOS Kernel Privilege Escalation Vulnerability (5 Oct 2023)
CVE-2022-42827: Apple iOS and iPadOS Out-of-Bounds Write Vulnerability (25 Oct 2022)
CVE-2021-30983: Apple iOS and iPadOS Buffer Overflow Vulnerability (27 Jun 2022)

References

Questions

Is CVE-2023-41974 being exploited?

Yes. CISA added CVE-2023-41974 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 5 Mar 2026, which means there is reliable evidence of exploitation in the wild.

Is CVE-2023-41974 used in ransomware attacks?

CISA does not list known ransomware use for it. That can change, and exploitation alone is reason to fix it first.

How do I fix CVE-2023-41974?

Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Check Apple's advisory for the fixed versions, and if you can't patch quickly, restrict access to the affected iOS and iPadOS and watch it for signs of compromise.

Sources: CISA KEV (exploitation, ransomware use, required action, due date), the CVE record (publication date, CVSS, CNA), NVD and FIRST EPSS (live score). More: all KEV additions in March 2026 · Apple scorecard · act-now radar.

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