CVE-2022-42803 : Security Advisory and Response

A race condition in Apple products was addressed with improved locking, affecting various versions of macOS, tvOS, iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS, allowing an app to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.

Understanding CVE-2022-42803

This CVE details a race condition vulnerability in Apple products, fixed in multiple updates to prevent unauthorized execution of code with kernel privileges.

What is CVE-2022-42803?

The CVE-2022-42803 vulnerability involves a race condition that could be exploited by an app to execute arbitrary code with elevated kernel privileges on affected Apple devices.

The Impact of CVE-2022-42803

The vulnerability allows an attacker to potentially run malicious code with elevated privileges, posing a significant security risk to the affected systems and user data.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-42803

This section provides technical insights into the description of the vulnerability, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from a race condition that leads to inadequate locking mechanisms, enabling an app to bypass security restrictions and run arbitrary code with kernel privileges.

Affected Systems and Versions

The following Apple products are affected by CVE-2022-42803:

macOS versions older than Ventura 13
tvOS versions older than 16.1
iOS and iPadOS versions older than 15.7.1
watchOS versions older than 9.1

Exploitation Mechanism

By leveraging the race condition, a malicious app can manipulate system processes to execute unauthorized code with elevated kernel privileges, potentially compromising system integrity.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard vulnerable systems and mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2022-42803, users and administrators should take immediate steps and adopt long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update affected Apple devices to the latest patched versions.
Monitor for any suspicious activities or unauthorized code execution on the system.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regular security updates and patches to address vulnerabilities promptly.
Implement least privilege access controls and robust security configurations.

Patching and Updates

Apple has released security patches in the following versions to address CVE-2022-42803:

macOS Ventura 13
tvOS 16.1, 12.6.1, and 15.7.1
iOS and iPadOS 16, 15.7.1
watchOS 9.1