CVE-2022-42837 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 12/15/2022
An issue existed in the parsing of URLs. This issue was addressed with improved input validation. This issue is fixed in iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2, macOS Ventura 13.1, iOS 15.7.2 and iPadOS 15.7.2, watchOS 9.2. A remote user may be able to cause unexpected app termination or arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-42837 represents a critical input validation flaw in URL parsing mechanisms within Apple's operating systems. This issue affects multiple platforms including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS, demonstrating the widespread nature of the vulnerability across Apple's ecosystem. The flaw exists in how the system processes and validates URL inputs, creating potential attack vectors that could be exploited by remote adversaries. The vulnerability was addressed through enhanced input validation measures that prevent malformed URL data from causing system instability or unauthorized code execution.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under CWE-20, which specifically addresses "Improper Input Validation" in software systems. This classification indicates that the underlying issue stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied data during URL processing operations. When a remote attacker crafts malicious URL inputs, the system's parsing mechanism fails to properly sanitize or validate these inputs, leading to potential exploitation. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple application crashes, as it can potentially enable arbitrary code execution, representing a significant security risk for affected systems.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents a substantial risk to users of affected Apple platforms since it can be exploited remotely without requiring physical access or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website or clicking on a specially crafted link. The potential for unexpected application termination creates denial-of-service scenarios that could disrupt normal user operations, while the arbitrary code execution capability allows attackers to gain unauthorized control over affected systems. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple devices may be simultaneously at risk.
The remediation for CVE-2022-42837 was implemented through comprehensive input validation improvements that strengthen how URL data is processed and validated across all affected Apple operating systems. The fixes were rolled out in specific versions including iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, macOS Ventura 13.1, iOS 15.7.2, iPadOS 15.7.2, and watchOS 9.2, demonstrating Apple's coordinated approach to patch management across their platform ecosystem. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected devices to these patched versions to mitigate the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers "Exploitation for Client Execution" as attackers could leverage this flaw to execute malicious code on target systems. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and implement network-based protections to prevent exploitation attempts.