CVE-2022-32927 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Apple iOS and iPadOS devices, specifically targeting the Settings application. The vulnerability arises from improper memory handling when a device joins a malicious Wi-Fi network. Exploitation of this flaw can lead to a denial-of-service (DoS) condition in the Settings app, rendering it unresponsive or causing it to crash. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-400, which relates to uncontrolled resource consumption, indicating that the malicious network can trigger excessive resource use or memory corruption leading to the DoS. The issue does not require any user interaction beyond the device automatically or manually connecting to a malicious Wi-Fi network, and no privileges or authentication are needed to exploit it. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.5, reflecting a high severity due to the network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, and no user interaction needed. However, the impact is limited to availability (denial-of-service) without affecting confidentiality or integrity. Apple addressed this vulnerability by improving memory handling in iOS 15.7.1, iPadOS 15.7.1, iOS 16.1, and iPadOS 16.1. No known exploits have been reported in the wild to date. The vulnerability highlights risks associated with connecting to untrusted Wi-Fi networks, which can be leveraged by attackers to disrupt device functionality, potentially impacting user productivity and device management.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to mobile device availability and operational continuity. Many enterprises rely on iOS and iPadOS devices for daily operations, including accessing corporate resources, communication, and device management. A denial-of-service in the Settings app could prevent users from modifying network configurations, applying updates, or managing device settings, potentially delaying incident response or security updates. In environments where mobile devices are critical for fieldwork, healthcare, or emergency services, such disruption could have operational consequences. Although the vulnerability does not compromise data confidentiality or integrity, the loss of availability can indirectly affect business processes and user trust. Additionally, attackers could deploy rogue Wi-Fi access points in public or corporate environments to target employees’ devices, causing widespread disruption. Given the widespread use of Apple devices across Europe, especially in sectors like finance, healthcare, and government, the impact could be significant if devices remain unpatched.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigation strategies: 1) Ensure all iOS and iPadOS devices are promptly updated to versions 15.7.1, 16.1, or later to apply the patch addressing this vulnerability. 2) Enforce mobile device management (MDM) policies that restrict or monitor connections to untrusted or unknown Wi-Fi networks, including disabling automatic joining of open networks. 3) Educate users about the risks of connecting to public or suspicious Wi-Fi networks and encourage the use of VPNs when accessing corporate resources remotely. 4) Deploy network access controls and Wi-Fi intrusion detection systems to identify and block rogue access points within corporate environments. 5) Regularly audit device configurations and network settings to detect anomalies or unauthorized changes. 6) In high-security environments, consider disabling Wi-Fi on devices when not required or using cellular-only connectivity to reduce exposure. These measures collectively reduce the attack surface and limit the potential for exploitation.