CVE-2022-32781 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS, specifically affecting versions prior to macOS Monterey 12.4, iOS 15.5, iPadOS 15.5, Security Update 2022-005 Catalina, and macOS Big Sur 11.6.8. The vulnerability arises because an application running with root privileges may be able to access private information that it should not be authorized to access. The root cause is related to insufficient enforcement of access controls, classified under CWE-269 (Improper Privilege Management). Apple addressed this issue by enabling the hardened runtime feature, which enforces stricter runtime protections to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.4 (medium severity), with the vector indicating that the attack requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), high privileges (PR:H), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), high confidentiality impact (C:H), no integrity impact (I:N), and no availability impact (A:N). There are no known exploits in the wild reported for this vulnerability. The vulnerability primarily affects macOS systems and related Apple operating systems, and it requires an attacker to have root privileges on the system to exploit it, which limits the attack surface but still poses a risk if an attacker gains elevated privileges through other means. The vulnerability could allow unauthorized disclosure of private information, potentially leading to privacy breaches or leakage of sensitive data.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-32781 depends largely on the prevalence of Apple macOS devices within their IT environment and the sensitivity of the data stored or processed on these devices. Organizations with significant macOS deployments, such as creative industries, software development firms, and enterprises using Apple hardware, could be at risk of private information disclosure if an attacker gains root access to a device. Although exploitation requires root privileges, which are typically tightly controlled, the vulnerability could be leveraged in multi-stage attacks where initial compromise leads to privilege escalation. The confidentiality impact is high, meaning sensitive corporate or personal data could be exposed, potentially violating GDPR and other data protection regulations. However, the lack of integrity or availability impact reduces the risk of system disruption or data tampering. Overall, the threat is moderate but should not be ignored, especially in environments where macOS devices handle critical or sensitive information.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should ensure that all Apple devices are updated promptly to the fixed versions: macOS Monterey 12.4 or later, iOS 15.5 or later, iPadOS 15.5 or later, Security Update 2022-005 Catalina, and macOS Big Sur 11.6.8 or later. Beyond patching, organizations should enforce strict access controls to limit root access only to trusted administrators and use endpoint protection solutions that monitor and restrict unauthorized privilege escalations. Employing application whitelisting and runtime protection mechanisms can further reduce the risk of malicious apps gaining root privileges. Regular auditing of system logs and privilege usage can help detect suspicious activities early. Additionally, organizations should educate users and administrators about the risks of running untrusted applications with elevated privileges and implement network segmentation to isolate critical macOS devices from less secure network zones. Finally, integrating macOS devices into centralized security management platforms can improve visibility and response capabilities.