CVE-2022-32888 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting multiple Apple operating systems, including macOS Big Sur 11.7, macOS Ventura 13, macOS Monterey 12.6, iOS 15.7 and 16, iPadOS 15.7, watchOS 9, and tvOS 16. The vulnerability stems from an out-of-bounds write issue, classified under CWE-787, which occurs during the processing of maliciously crafted web content. This flaw allows an attacker to perform arbitrary code execution on the affected device. The root cause is insufficient bounds checking when handling certain web content, which can lead to memory corruption. Exploitation requires no privileges (AV:N), has low attack complexity (AC:L), does not require prior authentication (PR:N), but does require user interaction (UI:R), such as visiting a malicious website or opening crafted content. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H), meaning an attacker could fully compromise the system, execute arbitrary code, and potentially take control of the device. Apple has addressed this issue by improving bounds checking in the affected OS versions. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the high CVSS score of 8.8 indicates a significant risk if exploited.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a serious threat, especially those relying on Apple devices for critical business operations. Successful exploitation could lead to full system compromise, data theft, espionage, or disruption of services. Given the widespread use of Apple products in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and technology across Europe, attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access, deploy malware, or conduct targeted attacks. The requirement for user interaction means phishing or social engineering campaigns could be effective vectors. The impact is heightened in environments where Apple devices are integrated into enterprise networks without strict endpoint security controls. Additionally, the vulnerability affects multiple Apple platforms, increasing the attack surface within organizations using diverse Apple hardware.

European organizations should prioritize patching affected Apple devices by updating to the fixed versions: macOS Big Sur 11.7, macOS Ventura 13, macOS Monterey 12.6, iOS 15.7/16, iPadOS 15.7, watchOS 9, and tvOS 16. Beyond patching, organizations should implement strict web content filtering and URL reputation services to block access to potentially malicious websites. Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring for anomalous behaviors indicative of exploitation attempts. User awareness training should emphasize the risks of interacting with untrusted web content and phishing attempts. Network segmentation can limit lateral movement if a device is compromised. Additionally, enforcing the use of Apple’s built-in security features such as Gatekeeper, XProtect, and System Integrity Protection (SIP) can reduce exploitation chances. Regular vulnerability scanning and asset inventory to identify unpatched Apple devices will help maintain security posture.