Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This Apple flaw can let an attacker who already has low-level read and write capability bypass Pointer Authentication, a key memory-protection control. Apple fixed it in macOS Ventura 13.1, iOS/iPadOS 16.2, watchOS 9.2, and tvOS 16.2. CISA KEV and Apple reporting indicate real-world exploitation, especially against iOS before 15.7.1.
Executive priority
Treat this as high priority because it is KEV-listed and affects widely deployed Apple platforms. The exploit requires prior capability, so it is most concerning in targeted compromise chains rather than simple remote mass exploitation. Rapid update compliance is the main business action.
Technical view
CVE-2022-48618 is a CWE-367 issue addressed with improved checks. The CVSS 3.1 score is 7.0 with local access, high attack complexity, low privileges, no user interaction, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. Successful exploitation may bypass Pointer Authentication after obtaining arbitrary read and write capability.
Likely exposure
Organizations with unmanaged or outdated Apple endpoints are most exposed. Priority assets include iPhones and iPads below iOS/iPadOS 16.2, especially iOS versions before 15.7.1, plus Macs, Apple Watches, and Apple TVs below the fixed releases named by Apple.
Exploitation context
Active exploitation is supported by CISA KEV and Apple's statement that the issue may have been exploited against iOS versions before iOS 15.7.1. Sources do not provide exploit mechanics, affected component details, or evidence of broad commodity exploitation.
Researcher notes
Apple names CWE-367 and improved checks, but the bundle does not identify the affected component or root-cause detail. Scope is limited to Apple OS releases fixed in December 2022 advisories. Treat exploited status as confirmed through CISA KEV and Apple's reported pre-iOS 15.7.1 exploitation.
Mitigation direction
- Update iOS and iPadOS devices to 16.2 or later.
- Update Macs to macOS Ventura 13.1 or later where applicable.
- Update watchOS devices to 9.2 or later.
- Update tvOS devices to 16.2 or later.
- Check current Apple advisories for newer supported fixed versions.
- Prioritize KEV remediation for internet-exposed executives and high-risk users.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Apple OS versions across MDM and endpoint management systems.
- Flag iOS versions before 15.7.1 for urgent review.
- Confirm devices meet or exceed Apple's fixed release versions.
- Verify update compliance after reboot and device check-in.
- Review CISA KEV entry for organizational remediation tracking.
- Document exceptions for unsupported devices and compensating controls.
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-367: 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-2022-48618 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
- 7 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- Yes
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/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:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H15.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213535CVE reference
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213532CVE reference
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213530CVE reference
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213536CVE reference
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2022-48618CVE 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.
Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) Race Condition
Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) Race Condition represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.