CVE-2022-32935 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS and related Apple operating systems including iOS and iPadOS. The issue pertains to the lock screen functionality, where a user may be able to view restricted content without proper authentication. The root cause is related to insufficient state management on the lock screen, which could allow unauthorized access to sensitive information that should normally be protected until the device is unlocked. This vulnerability affects multiple Apple OS versions prior to the patched releases: iOS 15.7.1, iPadOS 15.7.1, iOS 16.1, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura 13. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.6, indicating a medium severity level. The vector string (AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N) shows that the attack requires physical proximity (Attack Vector: Physical), has low attack complexity, requires no privileges or user interaction, and impacts confidentiality with a high impact, but does not affect integrity or availability. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-287, which relates to improper authentication. No known exploits are reported in the wild, and no patch links are provided in the data, but Apple has addressed the issue in the specified OS versions. This vulnerability could allow an attacker with physical access to a locked device to bypass lock screen restrictions and view sensitive content, potentially exposing confidential user data without needing to unlock the device or interact with the user.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily in environments where Apple devices are used and physical access to devices cannot be fully controlled or monitored. The ability to view restricted content from the lock screen could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive corporate or personal information, violating data protection regulations such as GDPR. This could result in reputational damage, regulatory penalties, and loss of intellectual property. The impact is heightened in sectors with stringent confidentiality requirements, such as finance, healthcare, legal, and government agencies. Since the vulnerability requires physical access, the risk is more pronounced in scenarios involving device theft, loss, or insider threats. The medium CVSS score reflects that while remote exploitation is not possible, the confidentiality impact is significant if an attacker gains physical access to a device. Organizations relying heavily on Apple ecosystems should be aware of this risk and consider it in their endpoint security and physical security policies.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should ensure that all Apple devices are updated to the latest patched versions: iOS 15.7.1, iPadOS 15.7.1, iOS 16.1, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura 13 or later. Beyond patching, organizations should enforce strict physical security controls to limit unauthorized access to devices, including secure storage, device tracking, and access logging. Implementing full disk encryption and enabling strong passcodes or biometric authentication can reduce the risk of data exposure. Additionally, organizations should configure lock screen settings to minimize the amount of information displayed, such as disabling notifications or previews on the lock screen. Employee training on the importance of device security and reporting lost or stolen devices promptly is also critical. For high-security environments, consider using mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies and remotely lock or wipe devices if compromised. Regular audits of device compliance and physical security practices will further reduce exposure to this vulnerability.