CVE-2022-32938 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting Apple macOS, specifically related to the handling of directory paths within the Shortcuts app or functionality. The vulnerability arises from a parsing issue where the system does not properly validate directory paths, allowing a crafted shortcut to check for the existence of arbitrary paths on the file system. This is a form of information disclosure vulnerability categorized under CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory). The flaw allows an attacker to infer whether specific files or directories exist on the target system without requiring any privileges or user interaction, as indicated by the CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N). The vulnerability does not allow modification or deletion of files (no integrity or availability impact), but it leaks information about the file system structure, which could be leveraged for further attacks or reconnaissance. Apple addressed this issue by improving path validation in iOS 16.1, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura 13. No known exploits are reported in the wild, and the affected versions are unspecified but presumably include versions prior to these patches. The vulnerability's CVSS score is 5.3, reflecting a medium risk primarily due to its ease of exploitation and potential to reveal sensitive file system information without authentication or user interaction.

For European organizations using Apple macOS systems, this vulnerability could enable attackers to perform unauthorized reconnaissance on endpoint devices by determining the presence or absence of specific files or directories. While the vulnerability does not directly compromise data integrity or system availability, the information gained could facilitate targeted attacks, such as identifying configuration files, security tools, or sensitive documents. This is particularly relevant for organizations with strict data privacy requirements under regulations like GDPR, where unauthorized information disclosure—even indirect—can have compliance implications. Additionally, sectors with high-value intellectual property or sensitive operational data (e.g., finance, healthcare, government) may be at increased risk if attackers use this vulnerability to map file system structures and plan more sophisticated intrusions. The lack of required privileges or user interaction lowers the barrier for exploitation, potentially increasing the attack surface. However, the impact remains limited to information disclosure without direct system compromise.

European organizations should ensure all Apple devices are updated to the latest versions of macOS Ventura (13) or later, iOS 16.1, and iPadOS 16 to incorporate the patch addressing this vulnerability. Specifically, IT asset management should identify and prioritize patching of devices running vulnerable versions. Organizations should also review and restrict the use of Shortcuts or automation scripts that could be exploited to probe the file system, applying least privilege principles to such features. Endpoint security solutions should be configured to monitor and alert on unusual shortcut activities or file system access patterns. Additionally, organizations can implement application control policies to limit the execution of untrusted shortcuts. Regular security awareness training should include guidance on the risks of running unverified shortcuts. Finally, network segmentation and endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools can help detect and contain any reconnaissance attempts leveraging this vulnerability.