CVE-2022-42796 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Apple macOS, specifically addressed in macOS Ventura 13, iOS 15.7, and iPadOS 15.7. The vulnerability allows an application to gain elevated privileges, potentially enabling it to execute actions beyond its intended permission scope. The root cause is linked to improper privilege management (CWE-269), where an app can escalate its privileges without proper authorization. Exploitation requires local access (AV:L) and user interaction (UI:R), but no prior privileges (PR:N) are needed, making it relatively accessible to attackers who can trick users into running a malicious app. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability at a high level, as an attacker could gain control over system resources, access sensitive data, or disrupt system operations. The issue was resolved by removing the vulnerable code in the updated OS versions. No known exploits in the wild have been reported to date, but the CVSS 3.1 score of 7.8 reflects a significant risk if exploited. The vulnerability affects unspecified versions prior to the patched releases, implying that all macOS versions before Ventura 13 and iOS/iPadOS 15.7 are potentially vulnerable. Given the widespread use of Apple devices in enterprise and consumer environments, this vulnerability poses a notable threat vector for privilege escalation attacks on macOS systems.

For European organizations, this vulnerability could lead to severe security breaches if exploited. Elevated privileges on macOS devices could allow attackers to bypass security controls, access confidential corporate data, install persistent malware, or disrupt critical services. Organizations relying on macOS for development, design, or executive operations may face increased risk of insider threats or targeted attacks exploiting this flaw. The confidentiality of sensitive information, including intellectual property and personal data protected under GDPR, could be compromised. Integrity of system configurations and data could be undermined, potentially affecting business continuity and trust. Availability could also be impacted if attackers leverage elevated privileges to disable security mechanisms or critical applications. Given the requirement for user interaction, phishing or social engineering campaigns could be used to trick users into executing malicious apps, increasing the attack surface. The lack of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the potential for future attacks, especially as threat actors often reverse-engineer patches to develop exploits.

European organizations should prioritize updating all Apple devices to macOS Ventura 13, iOS 15.7, or iPadOS 15.7 or later to ensure the vulnerability is patched. Beyond patching, organizations should implement application whitelisting to restrict execution of unauthorized apps, reducing the risk of malicious app execution requiring user interaction. Endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions should be tuned to detect unusual privilege escalation behaviors on macOS devices. User awareness training focused on phishing and social engineering can reduce the likelihood of users inadvertently triggering the exploit. Network segmentation should be employed to limit the lateral movement potential of compromised devices. Additionally, enforcing the principle of least privilege for user accounts and regularly auditing installed applications can help minimize exposure. For high-value targets, consider deploying macOS security features such as System Integrity Protection (SIP) and Endpoint Security Framework monitoring to detect and prevent unauthorized privilege escalations. Regular vulnerability scanning and compliance checks should include verification of macOS versions and patch status.