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Coruna: Spy-grade iOS exploit kit powering financial crime

Vulnerabilities mentionedAll →

CVEVulnerabilityCVSSEPSSFlagsAffectedExposurePublished
CVE-2021-30952
CVE-2021-30952: Integer Overflow in Apple Safari/WebKit Allows Arbitrary Code Execution

CVE-2021-30952 is an integer overflow (CWE-190) in the WebKit web engine used across Apple's platforms — the same engine shipped as WebKitGTK and WPE WebKit on Linux — which Apple addressed with improved input validation. An attacker triggers it by persuading a user to process maliciously crafted web content, such as loading an attacker-controlled web page, and successful exploitation leads to arbitrary code execution on the victim's device (CVSS 3.1: 7.8 high, with a local attack vector requiring user interaction). All users of unpatched affected platforms are exposed: iOS/iPadOS before 15.2, macOS Monterey before 12.1, Safari before 15.2, tvOS before 15.2, and watchOS before 8.3, plus Fedora/Debian systems running unpatched WebKitGTK/WPE WebKit. Exploitation is confirmed in the wild: CISA added the flaw to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-03-05 (ransomware use: unknown), and Google threat intelligence documented it as part of the 'Coruna' iOS exploit kit — 23 exploits across five chains, used for financial crime and targeting devices on older iOS versions such as iOS 13. EPSS assigns a 7.0% probability of exploitation within 30 days (94th percentile).

Do: Upgrade to iOS/iPadOS 15.2, macOS Monterey 12.1, Safari 15.2, tvOS 15.2, and watchOS 8.3; devices on older iOS branches (e.g., iOS 13, targeted by the Coruna exploit kit) should immediately apply Apple's emergency fixes for those versions. On Fedora and Debian, pull the latest WebKitGTK/WPE WebKit security updates through the distro package channels. Federal agencies must meet the BOD 22-01 remediation deadline for this KEV entry, and should inventory for Apple devices that cannot reach a patched version and replace or isolate them.

7.87% KEV PoC
  • Apple iOS (iPhone OS) all versions prior to iOS 15.2; Apple also issued emergency fixes for older iOS branches per vendor reporting
  • Apple iPadOS all versions prior to iPadOS 15.2
  • Apple macOS Monterey versions prior to 12.1
  • +7 more
mass≈1 billion+ Apple devices (iOS/iPadOS/macOS/tvOS/watchOS/Safari install base), with practical residual exposure concentrated in legacy iPhones/iPads on old iOS…
CVE-2022-48503
Apple Web Content Bounds-Check Flaw Enables Code Execution Across iOS, macOS, Safari

CVE-2022-48503 is a bounds-checking flaw (CWE-129, improper validation of array index) in the web content processing engine used by Safari and by web views across Apple platforms, rated 8.8 (High) with a network attack vector and user interaction required. An attacker triggers it by getting a victim to process maliciously crafted web content, typically by visiting a hostile webpage, and gains arbitrary code execution in the context of the application rendering that content. Anyone running Safari or iOS, iPadOS, macOS Monterey, tvOS, or watchOS versions prior to the fixed releases (iOS/iPadOS 15.6, macOS Monterey 12.5, Safari 15.6, tvOS 15.6, watchOS 8.7) is affected, with older devices that cannot upgrade at greatest risk. CISA added the bug to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2025-10-20, confirming exploitation in the wild, and October 2025 reporting on the Coruna iOS exploit kit describes exploit chains being used against older iOS versions. EPSS currently assigns a 3.2% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days (87th percentile); ransomware use is unknown.

Do: Update affected devices to iOS/iPadOS 15.6 or later, macOS Monterey 12.5 or later, Safari 15.6 or later, tvOS 15.6 or later, and watchOS 8.7 or later; for older devices that cannot run these versions, apply Apple's emergency fixes for older iOS releases as reported in recent advisories. Federal agencies must apply vendor mitigations per BOD 22-01 guidance or discontinue use of affected products if mitigations are unavailable. Inventory managed Apple fleets for OS/Safari versions below the fixed releases and treat unpatched devices' web browsing as an unauthenticated code-execution risk until patched.

8.83% KEV
  • Apple iPhone OS (iOS) Versions before iOS 15.6; fixed in iOS 15.6
  • Apple iPadOS Versions before iPadOS 15.6; fixed in iPadOS 15.6
  • Apple macOS (Monterey) macOS Monterey versions before 12.5; fixed in macOS Monterey 12.5
  • +3 more
masshundreds of millions of Apple devices worldwide on pre-fix OS or Safari versions
CVE-2023-32409
+1 in the same advisory: …32434
WebKit Sandbox Escape in Apple Safari, iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS

CVE-2023-32409 is a sandbox escape in Apple's WebKit browser engine, caused by insufficient bounds checking that was corrected in the May 2023 updates. It is triggered remotely when WebKit processes maliciously crafted web content, with no authentication or special user privileges required beyond loading attacker-controlled content (e.g., in Safari or any app rendering web views). A successful attacker breaks out of the Web Content sandbox, weakening the isolation between web content and the rest of the system and enabling further compromise of the device (CVSS assigns a high integrity impact). Anyone running Safari or iOS/iPadOS, macOS Ventura, tvOS, or watchOS versions before the fixed releases is affected, which covers essentially the entire unpatched Apple device base. Apple reports the issue may have been actively exploited, and CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2023-05-22.

Do: Apply the vendor updates per Apple's and CISA's required action: Safari 16.5, iOS/iPadOS 16.5 (or iOS/iPadOS 15.7.8 for users remaining on the iOS 15 branch), macOS Ventura 13.4, tvOS 16.5, and watchOS 9.5. Because WebKit renders web content for all iOS browsers and in-app web views, updating the OS is the primary mitigation; no workaround is documented. Federal agencies must patch within the KEV deadline and should verify fleet-wide OS and Safari versions.

8.6
group max
17% KEV
  • Apple Safari versions prior to 16.5 (fixed in Safari 16.5)
  • Apple iOS (iPhone OS) versions prior to 16.5 and iOS 15 versions prior to 15.7.8 (fixed in iOS 16.5 and iOS 15.7.8)
  • Apple iPadOS versions prior to 16.5 and iPadOS 15 versions prior to 15.7.8 (fixed in iPadOS 16.5 and iPadOS 15.7.8)
  • +3 more
mass≈1B+ Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch installed base; any device on a pre-fix build is exposed)
CVE-2023-38606
Kernel State-Tampering Flaw in Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS and watchOS

CVE-2023-38606 is a kernel vulnerability in Apple's iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS and watchOS, caused by a state-management defect that allowed an app running on the device to modify sensitive kernel state; Apple fixed it with improved state management in its July 2023 updates. Exploitation is local and requires user interaction (a user must run a malicious app), and successful exploitation lets the attacker alter protected kernel state, with the CVSS scoring high integrity impact but no direct confidentiality or availability loss. Apple stated the issue may have been actively exploited against versions of iOS released before iOS 15.7.1, and CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2023-07-26; related reporting around this period links 2023 Triangulation-campaign exploit code to recent mass attack activity via the 'Coruna' iOS exploit kit. All users of iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple TVs and Apple Watches running software older than the July 2023 patched releases (iOS 15.7.8/16.6, iPadOS 15.7.8/16.6, macOS 11.7.9/12.6.8/13.5, tvOS 16.6, watchOS 9.6) are affected.

Do: Update all affected devices to the patched releases: iOS 16.6 or iOS 15.7.8, iPadOS 16.6 or 15.7.8, macOS Ventura 13.5 / Monterey 12.6.8 / Big Sur 11.7.9, tvOS 16.6, and watchOS 9.6. No workarounds are documented; because the flaw is triggered by apps, users on unpatched devices should avoid installing or running untrusted apps. The CVE is in the CISA KEV catalog (added 2023-07-26), so federal agencies must apply the vendor fixes within the required BOD 22-01 timelines.

5.53% KEV
  • apple iPhone OS (iOS) iOS versions prior to iOS 15.7.8 and iOS 16 versions prior to iOS 16.6 (fixed in iOS 15.7.8 and iOS 16.6)
  • apple iPadOS iPadOS versions prior to 15.7.8 and iPadOS 16 versions prior to 16.6 (fixed in iPadOS 15.7.8 and iPadOS 16.6)
  • apple macOS Big Sur versions prior to 11.7.9 (fixed in macOS Big Sur 11.7.9)
  • +4 more
mass>1 billion active Apple devices (Apple reported an installed base exceeding 2 billion active devices in 2023)
CVE-2023-41974
Use-After-Free Kernel Code Execution Flaw in Apple iOS and iPadOS

CVE-2023-41974 is a use-after-free (CWE-416) memory-corruption vulnerability in Apple iOS and iPadOS that was addressed with improved memory management. It is triggered locally when an application on the device exercises the affected code path; the CVSS vector (AV:L/UI:R) indicates the attacker needs code running on the device and user interaction, but no network access or privileges. A successful exploit allows an app to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, giving the attacker full control over the affected iPhone or iPad. Anyone running iOS/iPadOS versions prior to iOS 17/iPadOS 17, including legacy 15.x devices prior to 15.8.7, is affected. CISA added the flaw to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-03-05, and public references tie it to the spy-grade 'Coruna' iOS exploit kit (23 exploits across five chains) used for financial crime, confirming exploitation in the wild.

Do: Update iPhones to iOS 17 and iPads to iPadOS 17, or apply the iOS 15.8.7 / iPadOS 15.8.7 emergency updates on legacy hardware that cannot run 17; inventory your fleet for devices on older builds and prioritize them, since the Coruna exploit kit reportedly targets older iOS versions. Until patched, avoid installing apps from untrusted sources, as exploitation requires running a malicious app. Federal agencies must meet the applicable BOD 22-01 required-action deadline for this KEV entry.

7.81% KEV PoC
  • Apple iPhone OS (iOS) iOS versions prior to 17; legacy iOS 15.x prior to 15.8.7 (fixed in iOS 17 and iOS 15.8.7)
  • Apple iPadOS iPadOS versions prior to 17; legacy iPadOS 15.x prior to 15.8.7 (fixed in iPadOS 17 and iPadOS 15.8.7)
mass≈1 billion+ devices in scope
CVE-2023-43000
Use-After-Free in Apple WebKit: Safari, iOS, iPadOS, macOS (CVE-2023-43000)

CVE-2023-43000 is a use-after-free vulnerability (CWE-416) in Apple's web content processing (WebKit) that was addressed with improved memory management. It is triggered when a device processes maliciously crafted web content, which per the CVSS vector requires user interaction such as visiting an attacker-controlled page. Successful exploitation causes memory corruption, and the high confidentiality, integrity, and availability scores indicate an attacker can likely gain code execution or data compromise on the target device. Any unpatched user of Safari, iOS, iPadOS, or macOS macOS versions earlier than the fixed releases is affected, including older iOS devices that Apple has now issued emergency updates for. The flaw is being actively exploited: it was added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-03-05, a public PoC reference ties it to the Coruna iOS exploit kit (a spy-grade kit with 23 exploits used for financial crime), and EPSS estimates a 3.9% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (90th percentile).

Do: Update affected systems to macOS Ventura 13.5, iOS/iPadOS 16.6, Safari 16.6, or, for older devices still on iOS 15, iOS/iPadOS 15.8.7. Federal agencies under BOD 22-01 must apply vendor mitigations by the KEV deadline or discontinue use of affected products. Because exploitation requires user interaction with crafted web content, prioritize patching internet-facing and at-risk mobile fleets, and warn users to avoid untrusted links as an interim measure.

8.84% KEV PoC
  • Apple Safari Versions prior to Safari 16.6 (fixed in Safari 16.6)
  • Apple iPhone OS (iOS) Versions prior to iOS 16.6 (fixed in iOS 16.6); older devices on iOS versions prior to iOS 15.8.7 (fixed in iOS 15.8.7)
  • Apple iPadOS Versions prior to iPadOS 16.6 (fixed in iPadOS 16.6); older devices on iPadOS versions prior to iPadOS 15.8.7 (fixed in iPadOS 15.8.7)
  • +1 more
mass≈1 billion+ devices and users (Apple's active iPhone/iPad/Mac install base plus Safari users worldwide)
CVE-2024-23222
Apple WebKit Type Confusion Enables Arbitrary Code Execution Across iOS, macOS, tvOS

CVE-2024-23222 is a type confusion flaw (CWE-843) in Apple's WebKit engine that allows arbitrary code execution when a device processes maliciously crafted web content, for example when a user is lured into loading attacker-controlled web pages in Safari or another WebKit-based view (the CVSS vector confirms user interaction is required). It affects a broad slice of the Apple ecosystem: Safari, iPhone OS/iPadOS on the iOS 15, 16 and 17 branches, macOS Monterey/Ventura/Sonoma, tvOS and visionOS, prior to the January 22, 2024 fixes. A successful attacker gains code execution on the target device with high impact on confidentiality, integrity and availability (CVSS 3.1: 8.8). The flaw was fixed in Safari 17.3, iOS/iPadOS 17.3, and backported to iOS/iPadOS 15.8.7 and 16.7.5 for devices that cannot upgrade to iOS 17, plus macOS Monterey 12.7.3, Ventura 13.6.4, Sonoma 14.3, tvOS 17.3 and visionOS 1.0.2. Exploitation is confirmed in the wild: the vulnerability was added to CISA KEV on 2024-01-23, one day after the fixes shipped, and is associated with the Coruna exploit kit, which reportedly chains multiple exploits to target iOS devices including older versions.

Do: Update all affected devices to Safari 17.3, iOS/iPadOS 17.3 (or the iOS/iPadOS 15.8.7 and 16.7.5 backports for devices that cannot run 17), macOS Monterey 12.7.3, macOS Ventura 13.6.4, macOS Sonoma 14.3, tvOS 17.3 and visionOS 1.0.2. Prioritize endpoints used for web browsing and mobile users, since exploitation only requires a user to process crafted web content. The CISA KEV listing (added 2024-01-23) makes applying these vendor updates mandatory under the KEV required action, so verify fleet versions and confirm no devices remain on pre-patch builds.

8.811% KEV
  • apple Safari Versions prior to Safari 17.3 (fixed in 17.3)
  • apple iPhone OS (iOS) Versions prior to iOS 17.3; fixes backported in iOS 15.8.7 and iOS 16.7.5 for devices that cannot run iOS 17.3
  • apple iPadOS Versions prior to iPadOS 17.3; fixes backported in iPadOS 15.8.7 and iPadOS 16.7.5
  • +3 more
massover 1 billion active Apple devices (effectively Apple's entire unpatched iPhone/iPad/Mac/Apple TV fleet)
Full article699 words · extracted from helpnetsecurity.com · click to collapse

A powerful iOS exploit kit has circulated among multiple threat actors over the past year, moving from a commercial surveillance operation to state-linked espionage campaigns and, ultimately, ended into the hands of financially motivated hackers, according to new research from Google’s Threat Intelligence Group (GTIG).

“The exploit kit, named ‘Coruna’ by its developers, contained five full iOS exploit chains and a total of 23 exploits,” the analysts noted.

The exploit list includes both CVE-tracked vulnerabilities and flaws that were never assigned CVE identifiers. (Though, as GTIG analysts noted, their ongoing investigation may result in a revision to CVE associations.)

These vulnerabilities enable remote code execution and sandbox escapes via ordinary web content, exploiting flaws in WebKit’s memory handling and other browser subsystems.

Among the CVEs with an exploit in this kit are:

  • CVE-2024-23222, a WebKit flaw exploited as a zero-day and patched in early 2024
  • CVE-2022-48503, a WebKit vulnerability added to CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog in October 2025
  • CVE-2023-43000, fixed in Safari 16.6 and iOS 16.6 in November 2025
  • CVE-2023-38606 and CVE-2023-32434, used as zero-days as part of Operation Triangulation, discovered by Kaspersky in 2023
  • CVE-2023-32409, a WebKit flaw exploited as a zero-day

Coruna iOS exploit kit unmasked

The vulnerabilities leveraged by the exploit kit are mostly years-old issues, and most of them (possibly all) have been fixed since then.

The exploit kit appears capable – with varying levels of reliability – of targeting iPhone models running iOS 13.0, released in September 2019, through iOS 17.2.1, released in December 2023.

Google’s threat researchers first observed it being used in February 2025 by a customer of a surveillance company, then in July 2025 in watering hole attacks (by a suspected Russian espionage group) against Ukrainian websites, and finally in December 2025, via fake Chinese gambling and crypto websites.

They managed to retrieve the complete exploit kit and all the obfuscated exploits. Then, due to the actor deploying a debug version of the exploit kit in one instance, they discovered the exploits’ code names and the name of the exploit kit.

In addition to this, they found and analyzed the stager binary that the exploit kit was meant to deliver through the scam gambling sites: a malicious payload that could decode QR codes from images on disk, look for keywords like “backup phrase” or “bank account”, and run additional modules that can exfiltrate cryptocurrency wallets or sensitive information from a variety of crypto-wallet apps (Metamask, BitKeep, etc.)

Coruna proliferation is still a mystery

“The core technical value of this exploit kit lies in its comprehensive collection of iOS exploits,” the researchers opined.

“The exploits feature extensive documentation, including docstrings and comments authored in native English. The most advanced ones are using non-public exploitation techniques and mitigation bypasses.”

How the kit came to be used by such a wide range of threat actors remains unclear, but seems to point to an active market for “second hand” zero-day exploits, according to the researchers.

They confirmed that Coruna is not effective against the latest version of iOS and advised users to upgrade to it.

If your iPhone is still on one of those versions and you can’t upgrade, putting your device in Lockdown Mode or using private browsing neutralizes it, as Coruna performs checks to avoid execution under such defensive configurations.

UPDATE (March 4, 2026, 06:10 a.m. ET):

iVerify researchers have also analyzed the exploit kit (as deployed by Chinese cybercriminal) and shared advice on how to detect Coruna-triggered infections.

Unlike traditional spyware designed for targeted surveillance, this latest campaign signals a shift toward large-scale deployment aimed at ordinary iPhone users.

“Anyone who would have gone to the website with a vulnerable iOS version could get infected,” the company noted.

The company’s co-founder Rocky Cole also confirmed that they assess that “the exploit chain has similarities to frameworks previously developed by threat actors affiliated with the U.S. government.”

UPDATE (March 6, 2026, 05:05 a.m. ET):

CISA has added three of the vulnerabilities (CVE-2021-30952, CVE-2023-41974 and CVE-2023-43000) targeted via the Coruna exploit kit to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

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Text extracted automatically; images, tables and formatting may be missing. Original: https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2026/03/03/coruna-ios-exploit-kit/