CVE-2022-48618

What it actually does

This flaw weakens Apple Pointer Authentication protections when an attacker already has a local foothold and arbitrary memory read/write capability. By bypassing Pointer Authentication, the attacker can make control-flow corruption more reliable, potentially converting another memory corruption primitive into privilege escalation, sandbox escape, or execution with elevated integrity. The CVSS vector indicates local access, low privileges, no user interaction, high complexity, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.

Why it matters to the business

Successful exploitation can allow an attacker who has already compromised a device or application context to gain deeper control over affected Apple systems, access sensitive data, disable security controls, install persistence, or pivot into managed enterprise resources. This issue is listed in CISA KEV and was reported as exploited in the wild against iOS versions before 15.7.1, so remediation should be treated as urgent despite the low EPSS score. The CISA KEV remediation due date was 2024-02-21, meaning exposed systems are materially overdue for patching in regulated or government-aligned environments.

How an attack unfolds

An attacker typically cannot use this issue as a standalone remote entry point. They first need code execution or a local foothold on an affected Apple device, often through a malicious app, exploit chain, browser or message-based exploit, or another memory corruption vulnerability. After obtaining an arbitrary read/write primitive, the attacker uses this flaw to bypass Pointer Authentication checks that would normally make pointer forgery and control-flow hijacking harder. With those protections bypassed, the attacker can redirect execution, escape an application sandbox, elevate privileges, tamper with system processes, or deploy additional payloads. Apple reported exploitation against iOS versions before 15.7.1, indicating this was likely used as part of a multi-stage exploit chain rather than as an isolated bug.

How to fix it

Upgrade affected Apple platforms to fixed or later versions: macOS Ventura 13.1 or later, iOS 16.2 or later, iPadOS 16.2 or later, watchOS 9.2 or later, and tvOS 16.2 or later. Because exploitation was reported against iOS versions before 15.7.1, prioritize all legacy iOS and iPadOS devices that cannot reach current supported releases. For devices that cannot be upgraded, remove them from sensitive workflows, restrict network and account access, enforce application allow-listing, and consider replacement. The supplied package metadata also references vim/vim fixed in Git commit e1d720ee69755b7e74c41bbc8ba5af0a70d1fb5f; validate this mapping against the authoritative advisory before treating Vim as in scope, and if applicable ensure builds include that commit or a later upstream revision.

How to confirm the fix worked

Confirm through MDM, EDR, vulnerability management, or local device inventory that Apple systems are running macOS Ventura 13.1 or later, iOS/iPadOS 16.2 or later, watchOS 9.2 or later, and tvOS 16.2 or later. Pay special attention to iOS versions before 15.7.1 because Apple reported exploitation against those versions. Validate that unsupported or non-upgradable devices have been removed from privileged access paths. Where the vim/vim package mapping is present in SBOM or dependency tools, verify whether the installed source tree contains commit e1d720ee69755b7e74c41bbc8ba5af0a70d1fb5f or a later commit, but reconcile this against vendor advisories because the provided product metadata appears inconsistent with the Apple vulnerability description.

Typical attack path

1. Gain initial execution on an affected Apple device through a separate vulnerability, malicious app, or social-engineering-assisted payload.
2. Establish a local low-privilege execution context.
3. Trigger or reuse another vulnerability to obtain arbitrary memory read and write capability.
4. Use this flaw to bypass Pointer Authentication and make forged pointers or control-flow redirection viable.
5. Escalate privileges, escape a sandbox, or compromise a more privileged process.
6. Deploy follow-on tooling, access sensitive data, disable protections, or maintain persistence where possible.

How to detect it

There are no broadly reliable public indicators that uniquely identify exploitation of this Pointer Authentication bypass because it is a low-level exploit-chain component rather than a payload with distinctive files or network traffic. Hunt for evidence of surrounding activity on devices that ran affected Apple versions: unexpected crashes in system or security-sensitive processes, repeated panic logs, unusual app crashes followed by privilege changes, new or unknown configuration profiles, unexpected MDM enrollment changes, suspicious persistence items, sideloaded or untrusted applications, abnormal outbound network connections from mobile or macOS processes, and post-compromise behaviors such as credential access or security tool tampering. Useful sources include Apple Unified Logs, panic and crash logs, sysdiagnose collections, MDM compliance and device inventory history, EDR telemetry on macOS, network proxy/DNS logs, and identity provider sign-in logs for suspicious sessions originating from affected devices. For iOS and iPadOS, prioritize forensic review of devices that were below iOS 15.7.1 or below 16.2 during the relevant exposure period. Because this was reported as exploited in the wild, absence of a CVE-specific IOC should not be treated as proof of non-exploitation.

What your security team should do

• Treat this as a priority patching item because it is in CISA KEV and has documented in-the-wild exploitation, even though EPSS is low.
• Inventory Apple endpoints and prioritize remediation for iOS/iPadOS devices below 16.2, especially any iOS versions before 15.7.1.
• Use MDM compliance policies to block access from devices below the fixed OS versions.
• Investigate high-risk or executive-user Apple devices for signs of prior compromise if they ran affected versions during the exploitation window.
• Harden mobile and macOS environments by limiting unmanaged apps, enforcing rapid OS updates, and enabling available endpoint telemetry.
• Review vulnerability scanner or SBOM findings that associate this CVE with vim/vim and confirm whether that mapping is valid before opening broad remediation campaigns for Vim.
• For devices that cannot be patched, remove access to sensitive applications, rotate exposed credentials, and plan replacement.