CVE-2022-32862 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting Apple macOS operating systems, including Big Sur 11.7.1, Ventura 13, and Monterey 12.6.1. The vulnerability arises from insufficient data protection mechanisms that allow an application running with root privileges to access private information that should otherwise be protected. Specifically, the flaw relates to an information disclosure issue (CWE-200) where sensitive data can be read without proper authorization controls. The vulnerability requires local access with root privileges, and user interaction is necessary to trigger the exploit. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.5, reflecting a medium impact primarily on confidentiality, with no impact on integrity or availability. The attack vector is local (AV:L), and the attack complexity is low (AC:L), meaning that an attacker with root access and minimal complexity can exploit this vulnerability to leak sensitive information. Apple addressed this issue by improving data protection in the affected macOS versions, thereby restricting unauthorized access to private data by privileged applications. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and the vulnerability does not require network access or elevate privileges beyond root, but it does require user interaction.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-32862 depends largely on the presence of macOS systems and the extent to which applications with root privileges are used. Since the vulnerability allows an app with root privileges to access private information, the confidentiality of sensitive data stored or processed on macOS devices could be compromised. This is particularly relevant for organizations handling sensitive personal data under GDPR, intellectual property, or confidential business information. While the vulnerability does not affect integrity or availability, unauthorized disclosure of private information could lead to data breaches, regulatory penalties, and reputational damage. The requirement for root privileges limits the attack surface to scenarios where an attacker has already gained elevated access, such as through insider threats, compromised credentials, or other local exploits. European organizations with macOS endpoints in critical roles, such as research institutions, financial services, or government agencies, may face increased risk if these systems are not promptly updated. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the need for timely patching to prevent potential future exploitation.

To mitigate CVE-2022-32862 effectively, European organizations should: 1) Ensure all macOS devices are updated to the fixed versions: Big Sur 11.7.1, Ventura 13, or Monterey 12.6.1, as these contain the necessary data protection improvements. 2) Limit the use of applications running with root privileges to only those that are absolutely necessary, and audit such applications regularly to detect any unauthorized or suspicious behavior. 3) Implement strict access controls and monitoring on macOS endpoints to detect and prevent unauthorized privilege escalations or root access. 4) Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of identifying anomalous activities involving root-level processes. 5) Educate users and administrators about the risks of running untrusted applications with elevated privileges and enforce policies to minimize user interaction that could trigger exploitation. 6) Regularly review and enforce security configurations and hardening guidelines specific to macOS environments to reduce the attack surface. 7) Maintain comprehensive logging and incident response plans to quickly identify and respond to any potential exploitation attempts.