CVE-2022-22675: Apple iPadOS RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2022-22675 Overview

CVE-2022-22675 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability affecting multiple Apple operating systems. The flaw exists in the AppleAVD media framework component, which handles audio and video decoding. When exploited, this vulnerability allows a malicious application to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, potentially giving attackers complete control over the affected device.

Apple has confirmed that this vulnerability has been actively exploited in the wild, and it has been added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, underscoring the critical nature of this security issue.

Critical Impact

Active exploitation confirmed in the wild. Successful exploitation allows arbitrary code execution with kernel privileges, enabling complete device compromise across iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple TVs, and Apple Watches.

Affected Products

• Apple iOS prior to version 15.4.1
• Apple iPadOS prior to version 15.4.1
• Apple macOS Monterey prior to version 12.3.1
• Apple macOS Big Sur prior to version 11.6.6
• Apple tvOS prior to version 15.5
• Apple watchOS prior to version 8.6

Discovery Timeline

• 2022-05-26 - CVE-2022-22675 published to NVD
• 2025-10-23 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2022-22675

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-787 (Out-of-Bounds Write), a memory corruption flaw that occurs when the AppleAVD component writes data past the boundaries of allocated memory buffers. The vulnerability requires local access and user interaction to exploit, typically through a malicious application installed on the target device.

The attack leverages the media processing capabilities of Apple devices. When a specially crafted media file or stream is processed by the AppleAVD framework, insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to write arbitrary data outside the intended memory region. This memory corruption can be leveraged to achieve kernel-level code execution.

The local attack vector means that exploitation typically requires either physical access to the device or the ability to convince a user to install a malicious application. Once exploited, the attacker gains kernel privileges, which represents the highest level of access on Apple devices.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2022-22675 stems from improper bounds checking within the AppleAVD (Apple Audio Video Decoder) component. This media framework processes audio and video content across all Apple platforms. The vulnerability occurs when the component fails to properly validate the size and boundaries of input data before writing to memory buffers.

When processing specially crafted media content, the lack of adequate bounds validation allows write operations to exceed allocated buffer boundaries, corrupting adjacent memory regions. This corruption can be weaponized to overwrite critical kernel data structures or inject malicious code.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for CVE-2022-22675 is local, requiring an attacker to have the ability to execute code on the target system. The most common attack scenario involves:

1. Malicious Application Delivery: The attacker creates or distributes a malicious application that either contains or downloads specially crafted media content designed to trigger the vulnerability.

2. User Interaction Required: The victim must install and run the malicious application. This could occur through phishing campaigns, social engineering, or compromised app distribution channels.

3. Media Processing Trigger: Once the application is running, it processes the malicious media content through the AppleAVD framework, triggering the out-of-bounds write condition.

4. Kernel Exploitation: The memory corruption is leveraged to escalate privileges to kernel level, potentially allowing the attacker to install persistent malware, access sensitive data, or completely compromise the device.

The vulnerability affects the media decoder component that is deeply integrated into Apple's operating systems, making it a high-value target for advanced threat actors.

Detection Methods for CVE-2022-22675

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected application crashes, particularly when processing media files
• Unusual kernel panics or system instability on Apple devices
• Applications requesting excessive permissions or exhibiting unexpected behavior
• Evidence of privilege escalation attempts in system logs

Detection Strategies

• Monitor for unusual AppleAVD process behavior or crashes in system diagnostics
• Implement Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to detect unauthorized applications
• Review crash logs for kernel panics associated with media processing
• Deploy endpoint detection solutions capable of monitoring Apple device integrity

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable Apple's built-in security features including System Integrity Protection (SIP) and Gatekeeper
• Configure centralized logging for managed Apple devices to capture security events
• Regularly audit installed applications across enterprise Apple device fleets
• Monitor for applications from untrusted sources or with revoked code signatures

How to Mitigate CVE-2022-22675

Immediate Actions Required

• Update all Apple devices to the patched versions immediately: iOS/iPadOS 15.4.1+, macOS Monterey 12.3.1+, macOS Big Sur 11.6.6+, tvOS 15.5+, watchOS 8.6+
• Prioritize patching for devices with access to sensitive data or critical systems
• Remove any suspicious or unnecessary applications from affected devices
• Implement application allowlisting where possible to prevent unauthorized app execution

Patch Information

Apple has released security updates addressing this vulnerability across all affected platforms. Organizations should apply these updates as a matter of urgency given the confirmed active exploitation:

• Apple Security Advisory HT213219 - iOS 15.4.1 and iPadOS 15.4.1
• Apple Security Advisory HT213220 - macOS Monterey 12.3.1
• Apple Security Advisory HT213253 - macOS Big Sur 11.6.6
• Apple Security Advisory HT213254 - tvOS 15.5
• Apple Security Advisory HT213256 - watchOS 8.6

For additional context on the active exploitation status, refer to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog entry.

Workarounds

• Restrict application installation to trusted sources only (Apple App Store for iOS/iPadOS, verified developers for macOS)
• Enable automatic updates on all Apple devices to receive security patches promptly
• Implement network-level controls to prevent access to known malicious domains
• For unpatched devices, limit exposure by restricting user privileges and network access until updates can be applied

# Verify current macOS version to confirm patch status
sw_vers -productVersion

# Enable automatic updates on macOS
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate AutomaticDownload -bool true
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate AutomaticallyInstallMacOSUpdates -bool true

# Check for available updates
softwareupdate -l