CVE-2022-32943 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting Apple macOS, specifically related to the "shake-to-undo" feature. This feature allows users to undo recent actions by physically shaking their device. The vulnerability arises from insufficient bounds checking in the implementation of this feature, which can lead to a deleted photo being re-surfaced without requiring any user authentication. In other words, an attacker or unauthorized user could potentially trigger the shake-to-undo action and cause a previously deleted photo to become accessible again, bypassing normal authentication controls. The issue is linked to a CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read) weakness, indicating that the system reads memory outside the intended bounds, which can lead to unexpected behavior or data leakage. Apple addressed this vulnerability by improving bounds checks in the affected code paths. The fix was released in iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, and macOS Ventura 13.1. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.3, reflecting a medium severity level, with an attack vector of network (remote), low attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction needed, and impact limited to integrity (no confidentiality or availability impact). There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication. The vulnerability affects unspecified versions of macOS prior to the patched releases. The core risk is that deleted photos, which users expect to be permanently removed or at least protected behind authentication, can be recovered without proper authorization, potentially exposing sensitive or private images.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability is primarily related to privacy and data integrity concerns. Organizations that use macOS devices for handling sensitive images or media—such as media companies, legal firms, healthcare providers, and government agencies—could face risks if deleted photos are unintentionally exposed. This could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, violation of data protection regulations such as GDPR, and potential reputational damage. Since the vulnerability does not affect confidentiality directly and does not require user interaction or privileges, it could be exploited by anyone with physical or remote access to the device, increasing the risk in shared or public environments. However, the lack of known exploits and the medium severity rating suggest the immediate threat level is moderate. The integrity impact means that data users believe to be deleted could be restored without authorization, undermining trust in data handling processes. For organizations with strict data retention and deletion policies, this vulnerability could complicate compliance efforts. The vulnerability's presence in macOS Ventura and earlier versions means organizations that delay patching remain exposed.

European organizations should prioritize updating all macOS devices to macOS Ventura 13.1 or later, as this version contains the fix for CVE-2022-32943. Beyond patching, organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Restrict physical access to macOS devices to prevent unauthorized users from triggering the shake-to-undo feature. 2) Enforce strong device-level authentication and screen lock policies to reduce the risk of unauthorized access. 3) Educate users about the potential risks of the shake-to-undo feature and encourage cautious use, especially in shared environments. 4) Monitor and audit device usage logs for unusual activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. 5) For highly sensitive environments, consider disabling the shake-to-undo feature if possible or applying configuration profiles that limit its use. 6) Review and enhance data deletion policies to include verification steps ensuring deleted media cannot be recovered through UI features. 7) Coordinate with Apple support channels to stay informed about any emerging exploits or additional patches. These targeted actions go beyond generic patching advice and address the specific nature of this vulnerability.