CVE-2023-41975 : What You Need to Know

A vulnerability has been identified in macOS that allows a website to access the microphone without the microphone use indicator being shown.

Understanding CVE-2023-41975

This CVE-2023-41975 vulnerability affects multiple versions of macOS, potentially compromising user privacy.

What is CVE-2023-41975?

CVE-2023-41975 is a security flaw in macOS that enables a website to access the microphone without the user being notified through the microphone use indicator.

The Impact of CVE-2023-41975

This vulnerability poses a significant risk to user privacy as it allows unauthorized access to the microphone, potentially leading to eavesdropping and other privacy violations.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-41975

This issue has been resolved by removing the vulnerable code in the affected macOS versions. The fix is available in macOS Sonoma 14.1, macOS Monterey 12.7.1, and macOS Ventura 13.6.1.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in macOS enables websites to bypass the microphone use indicator, granting access to the microphone without user consent.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: Apple
Product: macOS
Vulnerable Versions: macOS less than 14.1, 13.6, and 12.7

Exploitation Mechanism

Websites exploit this vulnerability by accessing the microphone without triggering the microphone use indicator, circumventing user awareness.

Mitigation and Prevention

Users are advised to take immediate steps and follow long-term security practices to safeguard their privacy.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to the latest macOS versions (Sonoma 14.1, Monterey 12.7.1, Ventura 13.6.1)
Be cautious while granting microphone access to websites

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update macOS and security software
Monitor microphone permissions for suspicious activities

Patching and Updates

Apple has released patches addressing this vulnerability. Ensure to install the latest updates to protect your macOS device from unauthorized microphone access.