CVE-2022-32879 in tvOS
Summary
by MITRE • 11/02/2022
A logic issue was addressed with improved state management. This issue is fixed in macOS Ventura 13, iOS 16, iOS 15.7 and iPadOS 15.7, watchOS 9, tvOS 16. A user with physical access to a device may be able to access contacts from the lock screen.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical logic flaw in Apple's operating system implementations that undermines the fundamental security boundary between locked and unlocked device states. The issue stems from inadequate state management within the operating system's security framework, specifically affecting the lock screen protection mechanisms that should prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data. The vulnerability allows an attacker with physical possession of a device to bypass the lock screen authentication requirements and access contacts stored on the device, creating a significant privacy and security risk. The flaw exists across multiple Apple platforms including macOS Ventura, iOS 16, iOS 15.7, iPadOS 15.7, watchOS 9, and tvOS 16, indicating a systemic issue within the company's security architecture rather than a platform-specific problem. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and violates the expected security model where locked devices should provide complete isolation from unauthorized access attempts.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically manifesting as improper access control enforcement at the lock screen level. The flaw operates through a logic error in the state management system that fails to properly validate user authentication status when transitioning between locked and unlocked states. This allows for a privilege escalation scenario where a physical attacker can exploit the system's failure to maintain proper security boundaries. The vulnerability's classification as a logic issue rather than a memory corruption or input validation flaw suggests that the problem lies in the software's decision-making processes rather than in data handling or memory management. This particular weakness creates a direct attack surface that can be exploited without requiring network connectivity or complex exploitation techniques, making it particularly dangerous in physical access scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple contact access, as it represents a fundamental breakdown in the device's security model that could enable further attacks. An attacker with physical access can potentially use this vulnerability as a foothold to access additional sensitive information stored on the device, including but not limited to calendar entries, messages, photos, and other personal data. The vulnerability's presence across multiple Apple platforms indicates that organizations relying on Apple devices for corporate or personal use may face widespread exposure if they have not updated to the patched versions. This issue particularly affects environments where devices may be left unattended or where physical security controls are inadequate, as it removes the basic protection that lock screens are designed to provide. The impact is especially severe in enterprise environments where employees may store sensitive corporate data on their personal devices that are subject to this vulnerability.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability center on immediate deployment of the vendor-provided security updates that address the state management logic flaw. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected Apple devices to the patched versions of macOS Ventura 13, iOS 16, iOS 15.7, iPadOS 15.7, watchOS 9, and tvOS 16 as soon as possible. Additional defensive measures should include implementing stronger physical security controls for devices, such as requiring secure lock screen configurations and disabling unnecessary features that might provide additional attack vectors. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive assessments of their device security policies to ensure that physical access controls are properly enforced and that users are educated about the risks associated with leaving devices unattended. The vulnerability's remediation through vendor patches demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security configurations and the critical role that timely patch management plays in maintaining organizational security postures. This case highlights the necessity of continuous security monitoring and the importance of addressing logic flaws that can compromise fundamental security assumptions built into operating system architectures.