CVE-2022-46694 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Apple tvOS, identified as an out-of-bounds write issue (CWE-787) in the kernel's video file parsing component. This flaw arises when the system processes a maliciously crafted video file, leading to improper input validation and memory corruption. Specifically, the vulnerability allows an attacker to write data outside the intended memory bounds, which can result in arbitrary kernel code execution. Exploiting this vulnerability could enable an attacker to escalate privileges to kernel level, thereby gaining full control over the affected device. The vulnerability requires user interaction in the form of opening or processing a malicious video file, and no prior authentication is necessary. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8 (high), with vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, indicating local attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, user interaction needed, unchanged scope, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Apple addressed this vulnerability in tvOS 16.2, as well as in iOS and iPadOS versions 15.7.2 and 16.2, and watchOS 9.2, by improving input validation to prevent out-of-bounds writes during video file parsing. No known exploits have been reported in the wild to date. Given the nature of the vulnerability, any Apple TV device running an unpatched vulnerable version of tvOS is at risk if it processes a maliciously crafted video file, which could be delivered via streaming, downloads, or shared media content.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-46694 is significant, especially for those deploying Apple TV devices in corporate environments, digital signage, or media streaming infrastructure. Successful exploitation could lead to complete compromise of the device, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code at the kernel level, potentially enabling lateral movement within internal networks or exfiltration of sensitive information. The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected devices would be severely impacted. Although the attack vector is local and requires user interaction, the widespread use of Apple TV devices in conference rooms, public areas, and employee workspaces increases the risk of inadvertent exposure. Additionally, organizations relying on Apple ecosystems for unified device management may face challenges if compromised devices are used as pivot points. The lack of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk, but the high impact and ease of triggering via crafted media files necessitate prompt remediation to prevent future targeted attacks or supply chain compromises.

To mitigate CVE-2022-46694, European organizations should: 1) Immediately update all Apple TV devices to tvOS 16.2 or later to apply the official patch that fixes the vulnerability. 2) Implement strict media content controls, including filtering and scanning of video files before they are played on Apple TV devices, to prevent maliciously crafted files from being processed. 3) Restrict user permissions and device access to limit the ability to load untrusted media content, especially in shared or public environments. 4) Employ network segmentation to isolate Apple TV devices from critical internal networks, reducing the risk of lateral movement if a device is compromised. 5) Monitor device logs and network traffic for unusual behavior indicative of exploitation attempts, such as unexpected kernel crashes or anomalous outbound connections. 6) Educate users and administrators about the risks of opening untrusted media files on Apple TV devices and enforce policies that limit such actions. 7) Consider disabling automatic playback or preview features for media files from unverified sources to reduce exposure to malicious content.