CVE-2022-42842 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 12/15/2022
The issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in tvOS 16.2, macOS Monterey 12.6.2, macOS Ventura 13.1, macOS Big Sur 11.7.2, iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2, watchOS 9.2. A remote user may be able to cause kernel code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical memory handling flaw that exists within Apple's operating system kernels across multiple platforms including tvOS, macOS, iOS, and watchOS. The issue was specifically addressed through enhanced memory management protocols and represents a significant security concern given its potential to enable remote code execution at the kernel level. The vulnerability affects versions prior to the mentioned security updates, with the fix being implemented across Apple's ecosystem including tvOS 16.2, macOS Monterey 12.6.2, macOS Ventura 13.1, macOS Big Sur 11.7.2, iOS 16.2, and iPadOS 16.2, as well as watchOS 9.2. The kernel code execution capability presents a severe threat vector that could allow remote attackers to gain privileged system access without requiring local user interaction.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under memory corruption issues that typically arise from improper handling of memory allocation, deallocation, or access patterns within kernel space operations. Such flaws often manifest as buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory management errors that can be exploited to manipulate kernel execution flow. The fix implemented by Apple involved strengthening memory handling mechanisms to prevent unauthorized code execution through memory manipulation attacks. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because kernel-level exploits can bypass most traditional security controls and provide attackers with complete system control, making it a prime target for sophisticated attack campaigns.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-42842 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass complete system compromise potential. Remote exploitation capabilities mean that attackers can target vulnerable systems without physical access or user interaction, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments and organizations with exposed network services. The vulnerability affects Apple's entire ecosystem, from mobile devices to desktop computers and television systems, creating a broad attack surface that could be leveraged across multiple device types. Security researchers have classified this issue as high severity due to its remote exploitability and kernel-level privileges, aligning with common threat modeling frameworks that categorize such vulnerabilities under attack techniques involving privilege escalation and code execution.
Organizations and users should prioritize immediate deployment of the security updates across all affected Apple platforms to mitigate this vulnerability. The remediation process requires updating to the specified versions of each operating system, with particular attention to ensuring all connected devices receive the necessary patches. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any devices running unsupported versions, as the memory handling improvements in the patched versions specifically address the underlying conditions that enabled kernel code execution. This vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing importance of maintaining current security patches and the critical nature of kernel-level protections in modern operating systems. The fix aligns with industry best practices for memory safety and follows established security frameworks that emphasize proper memory management as a fundamental defense against exploitation.