CVE-2022-46691 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Apple tvOS, specifically related to the processing of maliciously crafted web content. The underlying issue is a memory consumption flaw, categorized under CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write), which can lead to arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability arises when the tvOS Safari web engine improperly handles memory during the rendering or processing of specially crafted web content. An attacker exploiting this flaw could execute arbitrary code on the affected device without requiring any privileges (no authentication needed), but user interaction is necessary (e.g., visiting a malicious website or viewing malicious content). The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as arbitrary code execution can lead to full system compromise, data leakage, or device disruption. The issue was addressed by Apple through improved memory handling in Safari 16.2, tvOS 16.2, and other related OS versions, indicating that all earlier versions of tvOS prior to 16.2 remain vulnerable. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.8, reflecting high severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No known exploits in the wild have been reported to date, but the potential for exploitation remains significant due to the ease of triggering the vulnerability via web content. This vulnerability is particularly relevant for devices running tvOS, which powers Apple TV hardware, commonly used in consumer and some enterprise environments for media streaming and digital signage.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-46691 can be substantial, especially for those utilizing Apple TV devices in corporate environments, digital signage, or conference rooms. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely, potentially leading to unauthorized access to internal networks if the compromised device is connected to corporate infrastructure. Confidential data displayed or transmitted via the device could be exposed or manipulated. The integrity of media content and availability of services relying on Apple TV could be disrupted, affecting business operations. Additionally, since Apple TV devices are often integrated with other Apple ecosystem products, a compromise could serve as a pivot point for lateral movement within an organization’s network. The requirement for user interaction (e.g., visiting a malicious website) means that social engineering or phishing campaigns could be used to trigger the exploit. Although no exploits are currently known in the wild, the high CVSS score and the widespread use of Apple devices in Europe necessitate proactive mitigation to prevent potential targeted attacks.

Ensure all Apple TV devices are updated to tvOS 16.2 or later, as this version contains the fix for CVE-2022-46691. Configure network segmentation to isolate Apple TV devices from sensitive internal networks, limiting potential lateral movement if a device is compromised. Implement strict web content filtering and DNS filtering to block access to known malicious websites that could host exploit payloads. Educate users about the risks of interacting with untrusted web content on Apple TV devices, emphasizing caution with links and media sources. Disable or restrict the use of Safari or web browsing capabilities on Apple TV devices where not necessary, reducing the attack surface. Regularly audit and monitor Apple TV devices for unusual behavior or signs of compromise, including unexpected network connections or performance anomalies. Leverage Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to enforce update policies and security configurations on Apple TV devices within the organization.