CVE-2022-42864 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Apple macOS and related Apple operating systems including tvOS, iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS. The root cause is a race condition, a type of concurrency flaw categorized under CWE-362, where improper state handling allows an application to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges. This means that an unprivileged app could exploit this timing issue to escalate its privileges to the kernel, gaining full control over the affected system. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of macOS, including Monterey 12.6.2, Ventura 13.1, and Big Sur 11.7.2, as well as various versions of iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and watchOS. Apple addressed this issue by improving state handling to prevent the race condition. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.0, indicating high severity, with the vector string AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. This means the attack requires local access (local vector), high attack complexity, no privileges required, and user interaction is needed. Successful exploitation can lead to complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the vulnerability's nature and impact make it a significant risk if weaponized. The flaw is particularly critical because kernel-level code execution can bypass all user-level security controls, potentially allowing persistent malware installation, data theft, or system sabotage. The vulnerability affects Apple’s ecosystem broadly, including desktop and mobile devices, which are widely used in both consumer and enterprise environments.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk, especially for those relying on Apple hardware and software in their IT infrastructure. Enterprises using macOS devices for development, design, or general business operations could face severe consequences if exploited. Kernel-level compromise can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, intellectual property theft, and disruption of critical services. The requirement for local access and user interaction somewhat limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk, as phishing or social engineering could induce user actions. Organizations in sectors with high data sensitivity such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure are particularly vulnerable. Additionally, the widespread use of Apple devices in European governments and businesses means the attack surface is significant. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for proactive patching and mitigation. However, the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability means that successful exploitation could result in major operational disruptions, regulatory non-compliance issues (e.g., GDPR violations), and reputational damage.

European organizations should prioritize immediate patching of all affected Apple devices to the fixed versions: macOS Monterey 12.6.2, Ventura 13.1, Big Sur 11.7.2, iOS 15.7.2 and 16.2, iPadOS 15.7.2 and 16.2, tvOS 16.2, and watchOS 9.2. Beyond patching, organizations should implement strict endpoint security controls to limit local access to trusted users only. Employ application whitelisting and restrict installation of untrusted apps to reduce the risk of malicious apps exploiting the vulnerability. User education campaigns should emphasize the risks of social engineering and the importance of not interacting with suspicious prompts or applications. Monitoring for unusual kernel-level activity or privilege escalations using endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools can help detect exploitation attempts. Network segmentation can limit lateral movement if a device is compromised. For highly sensitive environments, consider temporarily restricting use of vulnerable Apple devices until patched. Regular audits of device compliance and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to ensure no unpatched systems remain. Finally, organizations should maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans tailored to potential kernel-level compromises.