Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This Apple kernel vulnerability could let a malicious app gain the highest level of control on an affected device. Apple fixed it in January 2022 updates and reported possible active exploitation. Because it is also in CISA KEV, unpatched Apple endpoints should be treated as urgent remediation targets.
Executive priority
Treat this as high-priority Apple endpoint remediation. Kernel privilege impact plus KEV status means delayed patching creates material risk, especially for managed mobile devices and laptops used by privileged staff.
Technical view
CVE-2022-22587 is a memory corruption vulnerability, mapped to CWE-787, addressed with improved input validation. Apple states a malicious application may execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Fixed releases include iOS/iPadOS 15.3, macOS Big Sur 11.6.3, and macOS Monterey 12.2. The source bundle lists affected versions as unspecified.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely on Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS systems that have not reached the named fixed releases. The bundle does not provide exact vulnerable version ranges, so inventory should use Apple update status rather than assumed product ranges.
Exploitation context
Active exploitation is supported by Apple’s statement that it was aware of a report of possible exploitation and by CISA KEV inclusion. The sources do not provide exploit scale, targets, or technical exploitation details.
Researcher notes
The public bundle identifies memory corruption with kernel-code-execution impact and CWE-787, but does not provide vulnerable component names, exploit primitives, or exact affected version ranges. Avoid assumptions beyond Apple’s fixed-release statements.
Mitigation direction
- Update iOS and iPadOS devices to 15.3 or later supported releases.
- Update macOS Big Sur systems to 11.6.3 or later supported releases.
- Update macOS Monterey systems to 12.2 or later supported releases.
- Check current Apple guidance for unsupported or unclear device coverage.
- Prioritize remediation according to CISA KEV-driven vulnerability management policy.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS assets across MDM and endpoint tooling.
- Verify each device is at or above the relevant fixed Apple release.
- Confirm CVE-2022-22587 is tracked as a CISA KEV item internally.
- Review exception lists for devices unable to receive Apple security updates.
- Validate remediation evidence through MDM compliance or endpoint vulnerability scans.
Public sources used
Michael Williams reviewed this cited source version on .
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-787: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2022-22587 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Critical
- CVSS
- 9.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- Yes
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CISA KEV status
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H3.95.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
9.8CriticalVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213055CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213053CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213054CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2022-22587CVE reference · government-resource
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Out-of-bounds Write
Out-of-bounds Write represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.