macOS: Out-of-bounds Write
CVE-2022-42808 is a critical-severity out-of-bounds write vulnerability in macOS from Apple, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 13 as the first without the flaw, so updating macOS to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 2.67% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 86% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Update macOS to 13 or a later version.
- Update tvOS to 16.1 or a later version.
- Update watchOS to 9.1 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on support.apple.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | macOS | before 13 | 13 |
| Apple | tvOS | before 16.1 | 16.1 |
| Apple | watchOS | before 9.1 | 9.1 |
| Apple | iPadOS | before 16.0 | 16.0 |
| Apple | Iphone OS | before 16.1 | 16.1 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | CISA (ADP) |
Official description
An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved bounds checking. This issue is fixed in tvOS 16.1, iOS 16.1 and iPadOS 16, macOS Ventura 13, watchOS 9.1. A remote user may be able to cause kernel code execution.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Out-of-bounds Write
The product writes data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use a language that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid. For example, many languages that perform their own memory management, such as Java and Perl, are not subject to buffer overflows. Other languages, such as Ada and C#, typically provide overflow protection, but the protection can be disabled by the programmer. Be wary that a language's interface to native code may still be subject to overflows, even if the language itself is theoretically safe.
- Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid. Examples include the Safe C String Library (SafeStr) by Messier and Viega, and the Strsafe.h library from Microsoft. These libraries provide safer versions of overflow-prone string-handling functions.
- Use automatic buffer overflow detection mechanisms that are offered by certain compilers or compiler extensions. Examples include: the Microsoft Visual Studio /GS flag, Fedora/Red Hat FORTIFY_SOURCE GCC flag, StackGuard, and ProPolice, which provide various mechanisms including canary-based detection and range/index checking. D3-SFCV (Stack Frame Canary Validation) from D3FEND discusses canary-based detection in detail.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
- support.apple.com/en-us/HT213488Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/HT213489Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/HT213491Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/HT213492Release Notes
Other vulnerabilities in macOS
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Out-of-bounds Write vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
Apple iOS and iPadOS Out-of-Bounds Write Exploited
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
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