CVE-2022-32829 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Apple macOS, as well as iOS and iPadOS versions prior to 15.6 and macOS Monterey prior to 12.5. The vulnerability allows a malicious application to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, effectively granting it the highest level of control over the affected system. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-269, which relates to improper privilege management. The issue arises from insufficient checks within the kernel that an attacker can exploit to escalate privileges. Successful exploitation requires local access (AV:L), no privileges (PR:N), but does require user interaction (UI:R), such as running a malicious app. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability (all rated high), meaning an attacker could fully compromise the system, access sensitive data, modify system behavior, or cause system instability or denial of service. The vulnerability was addressed by Apple through improved internal checks and fixed in iOS 15.6, iPadOS 15.6, and macOS Monterey 12.5. No known exploits in the wild have been reported as of the publication date. The CVSS score of 7.8 reflects a high severity, emphasizing the critical nature of kernel-level code execution. Given the kernel-level access, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the security posture of affected devices, especially in environments where sensitive data or critical operations are performed on macOS systems.

For European organizations, this vulnerability presents a serious risk, particularly for enterprises and government agencies relying on Apple macOS devices for daily operations. Exploitation could lead to full system compromise, enabling attackers to steal confidential information, implant persistent malware, or disrupt critical services. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, defense, and critical infrastructure are especially vulnerable due to the sensitive nature of their data and operations. The requirement for user interaction means that phishing or social engineering could be leveraged to trick users into executing malicious applications. The widespread use of macOS in certain European markets, combined with the potential for privilege escalation to kernel level, could facilitate lateral movement within networks, undermining endpoint security and complicating incident response efforts. Additionally, the lack of known exploits in the wild suggests that patching promptly can effectively mitigate the risk before active exploitation emerges.

European organizations should prioritize deploying the official Apple patches by upgrading affected devices to iOS 15.6, iPadOS 15.6, or macOS Monterey 12.5 or later. Beyond patching, organizations should implement strict application control policies to prevent unauthorized or untrusted applications from executing, such as using Apple’s Gatekeeper and System Integrity Protection features. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring for suspicious kernel-level activity. User education is critical to reduce the risk of social engineering attacks that could trigger exploitation. Network segmentation can limit the impact of a compromised device. Regular vulnerability scanning and asset inventory should be maintained to identify unpatched macOS systems. Finally, organizations should monitor threat intelligence feeds for any emerging exploit activity related to CVE-2022-32829 to adjust defenses accordingly.