CVE-2022-22677 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 11/02/2022
A logic issue in the handling of concurrent media was addressed with improved state handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Monterey 12.4, iOS 15.5 and iPadOS 15.5. Video self-preview in a webRTC call may be interrupted if the user answers a phone call.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/28/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2022-22677 represents a concurrency-related flaw in Apple's media processing subsystem that specifically affects the handling of simultaneous media operations within the WebRTC framework. This logic issue stems from inadequate state management when multiple media streams interact concurrently, creating potential race conditions and improper resource handling scenarios. The flaw manifests in the macOS Monterey 12.4 and iOS 15.5 operating system versions, where the underlying media processing components fail to properly coordinate between different media contexts. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects real-time communication applications that rely heavily on WebRTC protocols for video conferencing and peer-to-peer communication services.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper synchronization mechanisms within the media processing pipeline when handling concurrent media operations. When a user engages in a WebRTC video call and simultaneously receives an incoming phone call, the system's state management fails to properly handle the transition between these concurrent media contexts. This creates a scenario where the media processing subsystem cannot maintain consistent state information across different media streams, leading to premature interruption of video self-preview functionality. The issue falls under the broader category of concurrency defects that are classified as CWE-362, which specifically addresses Race Conditions, and CWE-665, which covers Improper Initialization. The flaw demonstrates how inadequate state handling can create security implications even in seemingly benign user interactions where multiple media operations occur simultaneously.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple user experience degradation to potentially compromising the integrity of real-time communication sessions. When a user's video self-preview is interrupted during a WebRTC call, it can disrupt the communication flow and force users to manually re-establish their video connection. This interruption occurs specifically during the transition phase when the system attempts to handle both an active WebRTC session and an incoming phone call simultaneously. The vulnerability creates a window where the media subsystem's internal state becomes inconsistent, leading to the premature termination of video streams. From an attacker perspective, this could potentially be exploited to create denial-of-service conditions or to disrupt critical communication sessions, particularly in enterprise environments where reliable video conferencing is essential. The issue is particularly relevant in environments where users frequently switch between different communication modes or where multiple concurrent media operations are common.
The mitigation for this vulnerability requires immediate deployment of the security updates provided by Apple in macOS Monterey 12.4 and iOS 15.5. System administrators should prioritize patching affected devices to ensure proper state handling mechanisms are in place for concurrent media operations. Organizations relying on WebRTC-based communication platforms should also implement monitoring solutions to detect potential disruptions in media streams that could be indicative of this vulnerability. The fix addresses the underlying concurrency issues by improving the state management protocols within the media processing framework, ensuring that transitions between different media contexts are properly coordinated. Additionally, security teams should consider implementing network-level monitoring to detect unusual patterns in media stream interruptions that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper concurrency control in real-time media processing systems and the potential security implications that can arise from inadequate state management in complex multi-threaded environments. The solution aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers Network Denial of Service, as the improper state handling could potentially lead to service disruption scenarios.