CVE-2022-46691 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE • 12/15/2022
A memory consumption issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in Safari 16.2, tvOS 16.2, macOS Ventura 13.1, iOS 15.7.2 and iPadOS 15.7.2, iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2, watchOS 9.2. Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-46691 represents a critical memory consumption issue within Apple's web browser ecosystem that was addressed through enhanced memory management protocols. This flaw resides in the Safari browser and its associated operating system components across multiple Apple platforms including macOS Ventura, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and watchOS. The vulnerability manifests when processing maliciously crafted web content that can trigger excessive memory allocation patterns, potentially leading to system instability and arbitrary code execution capabilities for attackers. The issue demonstrates the inherent complexity of modern web browsers where memory management becomes a critical security control point, as improper handling can create attack vectors that bypass traditional security measures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking and memory allocation controls within the browser's rendering engine when processing malformed web content. Attackers can craft specifically designed web pages that exploit memory handling deficiencies in Safari's JavaScript engine and web content processors. This particular flaw aligns with CWE-129, which addresses insufficient input validation, and CWE-772, which covers missing release of resource after effective lifetime. The memory consumption patterns exploited by this vulnerability likely involve recursive memory allocation techniques or buffer overflow conditions that can cause the browser process to consume excessive system resources, potentially leading to denial of service conditions that could be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-46691 extends beyond simple memory exhaustion scenarios to encompass potential arbitrary code execution capabilities that represent a significant threat to user security. When exploited, this vulnerability could allow attackers to execute malicious code within the context of the Safari browser process, potentially enabling privilege escalation attacks or full system compromise depending on the execution environment. The vulnerability affects multiple platform versions simultaneously, indicating a fundamental flaw in the underlying browser architecture rather than isolated platform-specific issues. This cross-platform nature of the vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers JavaScript and VBScript, and T1547.001, which addresses registry run keys and startup folder modifications, as attackers could leverage the arbitrary code execution to establish persistent access or deploy additional malicious payloads.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-46691 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment across all affected Apple platforms, with particular emphasis on the specific version releases mentioned including Safari 16.2, tvOS 16.2, macOS Ventura 13.1, and their corresponding iOS/iPadOS versions. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management protocols to ensure all devices running affected software versions receive updates promptly. Additional defensive measures include implementing web content filtering solutions, restricting access to untrusted websites, and enabling browser security features such as sandboxing and content blocking. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing layered security approaches that provide multiple defense-in-depth controls to protect against similar memory-related vulnerabilities. Network administrators should also consider monitoring for unusual memory consumption patterns and anomalous browser behavior that could indicate exploitation attempts.