CVE-2022-22620 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE • 03/18/2022
A use after free issue was addressed with improved memory management. This issue is fixed in macOS Monterey 12.2.1, iOS 15.3.1 and iPadOS 15.3.1, Safari 15.3 (v. 16612.4.9.1.8 and 15612.4.9.1.8). Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited..
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-22620 represents a critical use-after-free flaw that exists within Apple's web rendering and memory management systems. This issue manifests when processing maliciously crafted web content, creating a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability stems from inadequate memory management practices that allow freed memory regions to be accessed after they have been deallocated, creating potential exploitation vectors for remote code execution attacks. The flaw specifically impacts Apple's Safari browser and the underlying operating systems that support it, making it particularly concerning given Safari's widespread usage across Apple's ecosystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which categorizes use-after-free conditions as a fundamental memory safety issue. When a program frees memory but continues to reference that memory location, attackers can manipulate the freed space to inject malicious code or redirect program execution flow. This particular vulnerability demonstrates how web content processing can trigger memory management failures that persist across the browser's rendering pipeline. The issue affects not just Safari but also the broader Apple ecosystem including macOS Monterey, iOS, and iPadOS versions prior to their respective security updates. The exploitability of this vulnerability is heightened by its potential for remote code execution, allowing attackers to compromise systems simply by delivering malicious web content to unsuspecting users.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-22620 extends beyond individual user devices to encompass enterprise environments where Apple products dominate. Organizations relying on Apple's ecosystem face significant risks as this vulnerability could be leveraged for persistent threat campaigns, data exfiltration, or system compromise. The fact that Apple has acknowledged active exploitation of this vulnerability underscores the immediate danger it poses to users. Attackers can potentially deploy this flaw in phishing campaigns, drive-by downloads, or compromised websites that automatically exploit the vulnerability when users visit malicious pages. The attack surface is particularly broad given that Safari is the default browser on Apple devices, making it a prime target for threat actors seeking to maximize their exploitation reach across mobile and desktop platforms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-22620 require immediate deployment of Apple's security patches, specifically updating to macOS Monterey 12.2.1, iOS 15.3.1, iPadOS 15.3.1, and Safari 15.3 versions. System administrators should prioritize patch management across all Apple devices within their network infrastructure to prevent potential compromise. Additional protective measures include implementing web content filtering solutions, enabling browser security features such as sandboxing, and conducting regular security assessments of Apple-based systems. Network monitoring should focus on detecting suspicious web traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK framework's T1059.007 technique for application execution through web browsers emphasizes the need for comprehensive endpoint protection strategies that can detect and prevent such exploitation methods. Organizations should also consider implementing security awareness training to help users recognize potentially malicious web content that could trigger this vulnerability.