CVE-2022-42840 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 12/15/2022
The issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Monterey 12.6.2, macOS Ventura 13.1, macOS Big Sur 11.7.2, iOS 15.7.2 and iPadOS 15.7.2, iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2. An app may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical kernel-level memory handling flaw that could potentially allow malicious applications to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The issue manifests in the operating system's memory management subsystem where improper handling of memory allocations and deallocations creates opportunities for privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability affects multiple Apple operating system versions including macOS Monterey, Ventura, and Big Sur across various iOS and iPadOS releases, indicating a widespread impact across the Apple ecosystem. The flaw specifically enables an app to gain kernel-level privileges, which represents a severe security compromise as kernel access provides unrestricted control over the entire system. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of privilege escalation flaws that can be exploited to bypass system security boundaries and execute code with the highest possible privileges. The memory handling issue likely involves improper validation of memory operations or insufficient bounds checking during memory allocation processes, creating potential for memory corruption that could be leveraged by malicious code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass complete system compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this flaw could gain root access to affected systems, enabling them to install persistent malware, exfiltrate sensitive data, modify system files, or establish backdoors for continued access. The kernel-level privileges gained through this exploit would allow attackers to bypass all standard security mechanisms, including system integrity protection, code signing enforcement, and sandboxing restrictions that normally protect against malicious applications. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where macOS systems are commonly used for business operations, as it could enable attackers to compromise critical corporate infrastructure. The attack surface is broad since any application running on the affected systems could potentially exploit this flaw, making it especially dangerous in environments where users may inadvertently install malicious software or where legitimate applications might be compromised. From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with attack patterns described in the attack technique matrix where adversaries seek to escalate privileges to gain system-level control, representing a fundamental compromise of system security.
The fix implemented by Apple addresses the underlying memory handling mechanisms that were vulnerable to exploitation, though the specific technical details of the patch are not publicly disclosed. This approach to remediation typically involves strengthening memory management controls, implementing additional validation checks, and ensuring proper memory deallocation procedures are enforced. The patch distribution across multiple operating system versions demonstrates Apple's approach to addressing vulnerabilities in their ecosystem, ensuring that users across different platforms receive protection against the same threat. Security researchers have identified this vulnerability as a significant concern due to its potential for system-wide compromise, with the severity classification indicating that it should be addressed with high priority. The vulnerability's impact on both desktop and mobile platforms underscores the importance of keeping all Apple devices updated with the latest security patches. Organizations should implement immediate remediation strategies including mandatory updates for all affected systems, monitoring for potential exploitation attempts, and reviewing system logs for signs of unauthorized access or privilege escalation activities. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of continuous security monitoring and vulnerability management programs to identify and address similar issues before they can be exploited in the wild.