CVE-2022-32827 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting Apple macOS and iOS operating systems, specifically addressed in iOS 16 and macOS Ventura 13. The vulnerability stems from a memory corruption issue related to improper state management within the affected systems. Memory corruption vulnerabilities like this typically arise when software incorrectly manages memory buffers or pointers, leading to unexpected behavior or crashes. In this case, the flaw allows a malicious application to cause a denial-of-service (DoS) condition by triggering the memory corruption, which can crash or destabilize the operating system. The vulnerability requires local access (attack vector: local) and low attack complexity, meaning an attacker with limited privileges but local access can exploit it. No privileges are required (PR:N), but user interaction is necessary (UI:R), indicating that the user must run or interact with a malicious app for exploitation. The vulnerability does not impact confidentiality or integrity but affects availability (A:H), causing system crashes or reboots. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.5, reflecting a medium severity level. The underlying weakness is classified under CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write), a common memory corruption category. There are no known exploits in the wild as of the publication date, and no specific patch links are provided, but the issue is fixed in the latest OS versions mentioned. Overall, this vulnerability represents a local DoS risk via malicious apps exploiting memory corruption in Apple operating systems prior to the patched versions.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2022-32827 is the potential for denial-of-service conditions on macOS devices. Organizations with a significant deployment of Apple hardware, such as MacBooks or iMacs, may experience system instability or crashes if a malicious app is executed by users. This can disrupt business operations, cause loss of productivity, and potentially lead to data loss if unsaved work is interrupted. While the vulnerability does not allow data theft or system takeover, the DoS impact can be leveraged in targeted attacks to disrupt critical workflows, especially in sectors relying on macOS environments like creative industries, software development, and certain administrative functions. The requirement for user interaction limits remote exploitation, but social engineering or malicious insider scenarios remain plausible. Given the increasing adoption of Apple devices in European enterprises and public sector organizations, unpatched systems could be vulnerable to disruption. Additionally, organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies may face increased risk if users run untrusted applications on their macOS devices connected to corporate networks.

European organizations should prioritize updating all macOS and iOS devices to the latest versions that include the fix for CVE-2022-32827, specifically iOS 16 and macOS Ventura 13 or later. Beyond patching, organizations should implement strict application control policies to restrict installation and execution of untrusted or unsigned applications on macOS devices. Employing endpoint protection solutions capable of monitoring and blocking suspicious app behavior can reduce risk. User awareness training is critical to prevent execution of potentially malicious apps, emphasizing caution with unknown software sources and social engineering attempts. Network segmentation can limit the impact of compromised devices on critical infrastructure. Regular inventory and auditing of Apple devices will help identify unpatched systems. For managed environments, leveraging Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to enforce update policies and application whitelisting will enhance security posture. Finally, monitoring system logs for unusual crashes or app behavior can provide early detection of exploitation attempts.