CVE-2022-32844 in watchOS
Summary
by MITRE • 02/27/2023
A race condition was addressed with improved state handling. This issue is fixed in tvOS 15.6, watchOS 8.7, iOS 15.6 and iPadOS 15.6. An app with arbitrary kernel read and write capability may be able to bypass Pointer Authentication.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical race condition in Apple's operating systems that could enable malicious applications to bypass pointer authentication mechanisms. The flaw exists in the kernel-level state handling of iOS 15.5, iPadOS 15.5, and tvOS 15.5, as well as watchOS 8.6, creating a window where unauthorized code could manipulate kernel memory structures. The race condition occurs when multiple threads or processes attempt to access shared kernel resources simultaneously, leading to unpredictable behavior in memory management and authentication checks. This particular vulnerability falls under the CWE-362 category of concurrent execution using shared resource vulnerabilities, where improper synchronization creates opportunities for privilege escalation attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability allows an app with arbitrary kernel read and write capabilities to manipulate the kernel's pointer authentication system, which is designed to prevent code injection and privilege escalation attacks. Pointer authentication serves as a critical security mechanism that validates the integrity of pointers used in kernel execution, making it extremely difficult for malicious code to forge valid execution paths. When this protection is bypassed, attackers can potentially execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges, effectively compromising the entire system security model. The race condition specifically manifests during state transitions within kernel memory management routines, where timing dependencies create opportunities for unauthorized memory manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally undermines the security architecture that Apple has implemented to protect user data and system integrity. Attackers could leverage this flaw to gain persistent access to devices, monitor user activities, extract sensitive information, or install additional malicious software without user consent. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Apple devices including iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, and Apple TVs, making it particularly concerning given the extensive deployment of these platforms. This type of vulnerability is classified under ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation," and specifically relates to the use of kernel exploits to gain administrative access to systems.
Organizations and users should immediately update to the patched versions of iOS 15.6, iPadOS 15.6, tvOS 15.6, and watchOS 8.7 to remediate this vulnerability. The patch addresses the underlying race condition through improved synchronization mechanisms and enhanced state handling within the kernel memory management subsystem. System administrators should conduct immediate vulnerability assessments to ensure all managed devices are updated, while security teams should monitor for potential exploitation attempts in their environments. The fix implements proper locking mechanisms and state validation checks that prevent concurrent access patterns that previously led to the pointer authentication bypass. Additionally, users should be aware that any device running vulnerable software should be considered compromised until the update is applied, as the vulnerability could be actively exploited in the wild.