Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2022-22674 is an Apple macOS kernel memory disclosure flaw. A local user could read sensitive kernel memory. Apple fixed it in Monterey 12.3.1, Big Sur 11.6.6, and Security Update 2022-004 Catalina. Because CISA lists it in KEV, treat remaining unpatched Macs as urgent.
Executive priority
Prioritize patch confirmation for all affected macOS endpoints. The bug is not remotely exploitable by itself, but KEV status means real-world exploitation is recognized, and kernel memory disclosure can support broader compromise when chained with other issues.
Technical view
The issue is a CWE-125 out-of-bounds read in macOS that may disclose kernel memory to a local user. The CVSS vector requires local access and low privileges, with high confidentiality impact and no integrity or availability impact. Apple says improved input validation addressed it.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to macOS systems below the Apple fixed releases named for Monterey, Big Sur, and Catalina. The source bundle does not identify a specific component, hardware model, or vulnerable minor version range beyond those fixed releases.
Exploitation context
CISA KEV inclusion supports known exploitation. Public sources in the bundle do not describe exploit volume, targets, exploit chain use, or technical exploit mechanics. The vulnerability requires local access, so risk is higher on shared Macs or devices where attackers can run local code.
Researcher notes
Focus validation on OS build state and local-exposure context, not exploit reproduction. The provided sources do not identify the vulnerable subsystem or provide indicators of compromise. Treat unsupported or unverified macOS installations as unresolved until mapped to Apple guidance.
Mitigation direction
- Update macOS Monterey systems to 12.3.1 or later.
- Update macOS Big Sur systems to 11.6.6 or later.
- Apply Security Update 2022-004 on macOS Catalina systems.
- Prioritize remediation under CISA KEV tracking expectations.
- Check Apple guidance for any systems outside these release paths.
Validation and detection
- Inventory macOS versions across managed and unmanaged endpoints.
- Confirm each Mac is at the relevant Apple fixed release or later.
- Verify patch management records show successful installation.
- Identify shared or multi-user Macs needing priority review.
- Track closure against CISA KEV remediation workflows.
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-125: 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 lookupCVE-2022-22674 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
- Medium
- CVSS
- 5.5 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- Yes
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
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:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N1.83.6Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
5.5MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213255CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213256CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213220CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2022-22674CVE 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 Read
Out-of-bounds Read represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.