CVE-2022-32911 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 execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical memory handling flaw that could potentially allow malicious applications to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code with kernel-level permissions. The issue specifically affected Apple operating systems including macOS Monterey 12.6, iOS 15.7, iPadOS 15.7, and iOS 16, with macOS Big Sur 11.7 also receiving a patch. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices that create potential attack vectors for privilege escalation attacks. The flaw essentially enables a malicious application to gain unauthorized access to kernel memory spaces, which would typically be protected from user-space applications.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with common memory corruption issues that fall under CWE-122, which deals with heap-based buffer overflows, and CWE-125, which addresses out-of-bounds read conditions. These types of vulnerabilities often arise from inadequate input validation and memory allocation practices during software development. The exploitability of such flaws typically involves crafting malicious inputs or code that can manipulate memory layout to achieve unauthorized access to system resources. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to bypass system security controls and gain root-level privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses significant risk to organizations relying on Apple devices for their computing infrastructure. The ability to execute code with kernel privileges means that an attacker could potentially install persistent backdoors, modify system files, access encrypted data, or disable security features. The impact extends beyond individual device compromise to potential network-wide infiltration, especially in enterprise environments where Apple devices are prevalent. The vulnerability also represents a concern for threat actors who may target specific organizations or individuals through sophisticated supply chain attacks that exploit such memory handling flaws.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability involves immediate deployment of the security updates released by Apple, including macOS Monterey 12.6, iOS 15.7, iPadOS 15.7, and iOS 16. Organizations should prioritize patching all affected systems and monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts. System administrators should also implement additional security controls such as application whitelisting, network monitoring, and endpoint detection and response solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include comprehensive system checks to ensure all affected devices are properly updated and that no unauthorized modifications have occurred. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining current security practices and regular vulnerability assessments to identify and address similar memory handling issues before they can be exploited by adversaries. The fix implemented by Apple addresses the root cause through improved memory management and validation mechanisms that prevent the exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities.