CVE-2022-32864 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 09/21/2022
The issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Monterey 12.6, iOS 15.7 and iPadOS 15.7, iOS 16, macOS Big Sur 11.7. An app may be able to disclose kernel memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2026
This vulnerability represents a memory safety issue that could potentially allow unauthorized access to kernel memory regions. The flaw exists within the operating system's memory management subsystem where improper handling of memory allocations and deallocations creates opportunities for malicious applications to access sensitive kernel data structures. Such vulnerabilities typically arise from inadequate bounds checking or improper memory access controls that should prevent user-space applications from directly accessing kernel memory spaces. The issue was specifically addressed through enhanced memory handling mechanisms that strengthen the isolation between user and kernel memory spaces.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with common memory corruption patterns that fall under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. These classifications reflect the fundamental nature of memory safety issues where applications may inadvertently or maliciously access memory locations they should not have access to. The vulnerability could enable an attacker to extract sensitive information from kernel memory, potentially including cryptographic keys, system credentials, or other confidential data that resides in protected memory regions. This type of information disclosure represents a significant security risk as it could provide attackers with insights into system internals that could be leveraged for further exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple Apple operating systems including macOS Monterey, iOS, and iPadOS versions. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to kernel memory contents, which might reveal system configuration details, memory layout information, or other sensitive data that could be used to craft more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability affects systems running macOS Big Sur 11.7, iOS 15.7, iPadOS 15.7, and iOS 16, indicating that the memory handling improvements were implemented across Apple's mobile and desktop platforms to address this specific issue. The exploitation of such vulnerabilities often aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, where adversaries may attempt to gather information about the target system to inform their attack strategies.
Apple's resolution of this issue through the release of security updates for macOS Monterey 12.6, iOS 15.7, and iPadOS 15.7 demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date system software to protect against memory-related security flaws. The memory handling improvements implemented by Apple likely include enhanced bounds checking, improved memory allocation routines, and strengthened kernel memory protection mechanisms. Organizations and users should prioritize applying these security updates to mitigate the risk of potential exploitation. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper memory management in operating system design and the potential consequences when such protections are insufficient. Regular security updates and patch management processes are essential for maintaining system integrity and preventing unauthorized access to sensitive kernel memory regions that could compromise overall system security.