CVE-2022-32853 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apple macOS related to the processing of AppleScript binaries. Specifically, it is an out-of-bounds read issue (CWE-125) that occurs when the system processes a maliciously crafted AppleScript binary. This vulnerability arises due to insufficient input validation, allowing the system to read memory outside the intended bounds. The consequence of exploiting this flaw can be twofold: first, it may cause unexpected termination of the affected process, leading to denial of service; second, it may result in the disclosure of process memory, potentially leaking sensitive information. The vulnerability affects multiple macOS versions, including macOS Catalina (fixed in Security Update 2022-005), macOS Big Sur 11.6.8, and macOS Monterey 12.5. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.1, indicating a high severity level. The attack vector is local (AV:L), meaning the attacker must have local access to the system. The attack complexity is low (AC:L), no privileges are required (PR:N), but user interaction is necessary (UI:R). The scope is unchanged (S:U), and the impact on confidentiality is high (C:H), while integrity is not affected (I:N), and availability impact is high (A:H). No known exploits are reported in the wild as of the publication date. The vulnerability is mitigated by improved input validation in the specified security updates. Since the vulnerability involves AppleScript, a scripting language used for automation on macOS, it could be exploited by tricking users into opening or processing malicious scripts, potentially via email attachments, downloads, or other local vectors.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk primarily to users and systems running affected macOS versions. The potential impact includes unauthorized disclosure of sensitive process memory, which could leak confidential information such as credentials, encryption keys, or other sensitive data residing in memory. Additionally, the unexpected termination of processes could disrupt business operations, especially if critical automation tasks rely on AppleScript. Organizations with macOS endpoints used in sensitive environments (e.g., finance, government, research) could face confidentiality breaches or operational disruptions. Since exploitation requires local access and user interaction, the risk is elevated in environments where users might be socially engineered to open malicious scripts or where insider threats exist. The lack of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits over time. European organizations should be aware that macOS is widely used in certain sectors such as creative industries, software development, and executive environments, making targeted attacks plausible. Failure to patch could lead to data leaks or denial of service incidents impacting business continuity and compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR.

European organizations should prioritize deploying the security updates released by Apple: Security Update 2022-005 for Catalina, macOS Big Sur 11.6.8, and macOS Monterey 12.5. Beyond patching, organizations should implement strict controls on the execution of AppleScript binaries, including application whitelisting and restricting script execution to trusted sources. User awareness training should emphasize the risks of opening unsolicited or unexpected script files, especially from email or external sources. Endpoint protection solutions should be configured to detect and block suspicious script activities. Additionally, organizations can implement macOS system hardening measures such as enabling System Integrity Protection (SIP) and using Apple’s Endpoint Security framework to monitor script execution. Network segmentation and limiting local user privileges can reduce the attack surface. Regular audits of macOS systems to identify outdated versions and unauthorized scripts will help maintain security posture. Finally, monitoring for unusual process terminations or memory access patterns may provide early detection of exploitation attempts.