CVE-2022-32947 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Apple macOS, as well as iOS 16.1, iPadOS 16, and watchOS 9.1. The vulnerability arises from improper memory handling within the kernel, classified under CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write). An unprivileged application may exploit this flaw to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges. This escalation of privilege allows the attacker to gain full control over the affected device's operating system, potentially bypassing security mechanisms and accessing or modifying sensitive data, installing persistent malware, or disrupting system availability. The vulnerability requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but does require user interaction (UI:R). The scope is unchanged (S:U), and the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H). Apple addressed this issue by improving memory handling in the kernel, releasing patches in macOS Ventura 13, iOS 16.1, iPadOS 16, and watchOS 9.1. No known exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date, but the severity and nature of the vulnerability make it a critical target for attackers seeking kernel-level compromise on Apple devices.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially those relying on Apple hardware and software ecosystems. The ability for an unprivileged app to execute code with kernel privileges could lead to full system compromise, data breaches, and disruption of critical services. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and technology, which often use macOS devices, could face severe confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts. The requirement for user interaction means phishing or social engineering could be leveraged to trigger exploitation. The lack of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive patching, but the high severity score indicates that once exploited, the consequences could be severe, including persistent malware infections and lateral movement within networks. The vulnerability also threatens endpoint security and could undermine trust in Apple devices within corporate environments.

European organizations should prioritize immediate patching of all affected Apple devices by upgrading to macOS Ventura 13 or later, and iOS/iPadOS/watchOS versions 16.1/16/9.1 respectively. Beyond patching, organizations should enforce strict application control policies to limit installation of untrusted or unsigned apps, reducing the risk of malicious apps exploiting this vulnerability. User awareness training should emphasize the risks of interacting with untrusted applications or links to mitigate social engineering vectors. Endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions should be tuned to detect anomalous kernel-level activities indicative of exploitation attempts. Network segmentation can limit the spread of compromise if exploitation occurs. Regular audits of device compliance and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to ensure no unpatched devices remain. Additionally, organizations should monitor threat intelligence feeds for any emerging exploits related to CVE-2022-32947 to respond swiftly.