Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2022-22620 is an Apple web content processing flaw. A malicious webpage could trigger arbitrary code execution on affected devices or browsers. Apple stated it was aware of a report of active exploitation, and CISA lists it in KEV, so unpatched systems should be treated as a priority exposure.
Executive priority
Treat this as urgent patch management rather than routine maintenance. The vulnerability enables code execution through web content, has high technical severity, and is in CISA KEV. Focus first on executives, administrators, mobile fleets, and systems with high web exposure.
Technical view
The issue is a use-after-free memory management bug, mapped to CWE-416, reachable through processing maliciously crafted web content. The CVSS 3.1 score is 8.8 with network access, low complexity, no privileges required, and user interaction required. Apple fixed it in macOS Monterey 12.2.1, iOS/iPadOS 15.3.1, and Safari 15.3 builds.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on Apple endpoints or browsers that process untrusted web content and have not received the listed Apple updates. The source bundle also includes a Gentoo advisory, so Gentoo-managed environments should check that advisory for package-specific applicability.
Exploitation context
Active exploitation is supported by Apple’s statement that it was aware of a report of exploitation and by CISA KEV listing. The sources do not provide exploit scope, targeting details, or public exploit mechanics, so those should not be assumed.
Researcher notes
The bundle supports Apple WebKit-style exposure through malicious web content, CWE-416, and fixed versions, but does not include exploit samples, affected build ranges beyond the named fixes, or detailed indicators of compromise. Validation should stay version- and advisory-based.
Mitigation direction
- Update iOS and iPadOS devices to 15.3.1 or later applicable releases.
- Update macOS Monterey systems to 12.2.1 or later applicable releases.
- Update Safari to the fixed 15.3 builds or later applicable releases.
- Check Gentoo guidance where Gentoo-managed systems are in scope.
- Prioritize unsupported or unmanaged browsing endpoints for isolation or replacement.
Validation and detection
- Inventory macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and Safari versions across managed assets.
- Confirm installed versions meet or exceed the fixed Apple releases listed.
- Review vulnerability scanner findings for CVE-2022-22620 and reconcile exceptions.
- Check CISA KEV tracking for remediation due-date handling.
- Validate Gentoo package status against the referenced Gentoo advisory if applicable.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
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-416: 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-2022-22620 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
- High
- CVSS
- 8.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- Yes
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/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:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H2.85.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
8.8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213091CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213092CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213093CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- GLSA-202208-39CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_GENTOO
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2022-22620CVE 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.
Use After Free
Use After Free represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.