CVE-2022-42853 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 12/15/2022
An access issue was addressed with improved access restrictions. This issue is fixed in macOS Ventura 13.1. An app may be able to modify protected parts of the file system.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-42853 represents a significant access control weakness in macOS Ventura 13.1 and earlier versions that allows malicious applications to potentially modify protected file system components. This issue falls under the broader category of privilege escalation vulnerabilities where an application with limited permissions could exploit insufficient access controls to gain unauthorized modifications to system-critical areas. The flaw stems from inadequate restrictions on file system access that should normally be protected from modification by standard applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a failure in macOS security boundaries where the operating system's protection mechanisms for critical system directories and files were insufficiently enforced. Applications that should be restricted from accessing protected areas of the file system were able to bypass these controls and perform modifications that could compromise system integrity. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which specifically addresses improper access control issues in software systems. The flaw essentially creates a path for privilege escalation where a malicious actor could leverage this weakness to modify system files that should remain protected from unauthorized modification.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-42853 extends beyond simple data corruption as it creates potential for complete system compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could modify critical system components such as system libraries, configuration files, or security-related binaries that would allow for persistent access or further escalation of privileges. The implications are particularly concerning in enterprise environments where macOS devices may be running vulnerable versions of the operating system, potentially allowing attackers to establish footholds that persist across system reboots. This vulnerability could enable adversaries to modify system integrity checks, disable security features, or install backdoors that would remain undetected by standard security monitoring tools.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigation strategies including mandatory deployment of macOS Ventura 13.1 updates that contain the necessary access restriction improvements. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring for unauthorized modifications to system directories and employ application whitelisting policies to limit which applications can access sensitive system components. The remediation approach should align with ATT&CK framework tactic TA0004 (Privilege Escalation) and technique T1068 (Local Privilege Escalation) as the vulnerability enables attackers to escalate their privileges through file system access control bypasses. Regular security assessments should verify that applications are properly sandboxed and that system integrity protections are functioning as intended, with particular attention to ensuring that access controls for protected file system areas are properly enforced.