Multiple Vulnerabilities in Apple Products Could Allow for Arbitrary Code Execution

ITS ADVISORY NUMBER:

2022-112

DATE(S) ISSUED:

Tuesday, September 13, 2022

SUBJECT:

Multiple Vulnerabilities in Apple Products Could Allow for Arbitrary Code Execution

OVERVIEW:

Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in Apple Products, the most severe of which could allow for arbitrary code execution.

Safari is a graphical web browser developed by Apple.
macOS Monterey is the 18th and current major release of macOS.
macOS Big Sur is the 17th release of macOS.
iOS is a mobile operating system for mobile devices, including the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
iPadOS is the successor to iOS 12 and is a mobile operating system for iPads.

Successful exploitation of the most severe of these vulnerabilities could allow for arbitrary code execution in the context of the logged on user. Depending on the privileges associated with the user, an attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than those who operate with administrative user rights.

THREAT INTELLIGENCE:
Apple reports CVE-2022-32917 and CVE-2022-32894 are being actively exploded in the wild.

SYSTEMS AFFECTED:

Safari versions prior to 16
iOS versions prior to 16 for iPhone 8 and later
iOS and iPadOS versions prior to 15.7 for iPhone 6s and later, iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air 2 and later, iPad 5th generation and later, iPad mini 4 and later, and iPod touch (7th generation)
macOS Big Sur versions prior to 11.7
macOS Monterey versions prior to 12.6

RISK:

Government:

Large and medium government entities: High

Small government entities: Medium

Business:

Large and medium business entities: High

Small business entities: Medium

Home Users: Low

DESCRIPTION:

Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in Apple Products, the most severe of which could allow for arbitrary code execution. Details of the most critical vulnerabilities are as follows:

Tactic: Initial Access (TA0001):

Technique: Drive-by Compromise (T1189):

Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution. (CVE-2022-32886, CVE-2022-32912)

Tactic: Execution (TA0002):

Technique: Exploitation for Client Execution (T1203):

An app may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. (CVE-2022-32911, CVE-2022-32917, CVE-2022-32894)
An app may be able to disclose kernel memory. (CVE-2022-32864)

Details of lower-severity vulnerabilities are as follows:

A website may be able to track users through Safari web extensions. (CVE-2022-32868)
Visiting a website that frames malicious content may lead to UI spoofing. (CVE-2022-32891)
An app may be able to bypass Privacy preferences. (CVE-2022-32854)
An app may be able to read sensitive location information. (CVE-2022-32883)
A user may be able to elevate privileges. (CVE-2022-32908, CVE-2022-32900)
Visiting a malicious website may lead to address bar spoofing. (CVE-2022-32795)
A person with physical access to an iOS device may be able to access photos from the lock screen. (CVE-2022-32872)
An app may be able to bypass Privacy preferences. (CVE-2022-32902)
A user may be able to view sensitive user information. (CVE-2022-32896)

ACTIONS:

We recommend the following actions be taken:

Apply the stable channel update provided by Apple to vulnerable systems immediately after appropriate testing. (M1051: Update Software)
- Safeguard 7.1: Establish and Maintain a Vulnerability Management Process: Establish and maintain a documented vulnerability management process for enterprise assets. Review and update documentation annually, or when significant enterprise changes occur that could impact this Safeguard.
- Safeguard 7.4: Perform Automated Application Patch Management: Perform application updates on enterprise assets through automated patch management on a monthly, or more frequent, basis.
Apply the Principle of Least Privilege to all systems and services. Run all software as a non-privileged user (one without administrative privileges) to diminish the effects of a successful attack. (M1026: Privileged Account Management)
- Safeguard 4.7: Manage Default Accounts on Enterprise Assets and Software: Manage default accounts on enterprise assets and software, such as root, administrator, and other pre-configured vendor accounts. Example implementations can include: disabling default accounts or making them unusable.
- Safeguard 5.4: Restrict Administrator Privileges to Dedicated Administrator Accounts: Restrict administrator privileges to dedicated administrator accounts on enterprise assets. Conduct general computing activities, such as internet browsing, email, and productivity suite use, from the user’s primary, non-privileged account.
Restrict use of certain websites, block downloads/attachments, block Javascript, restrict browser extensions, etc. (M1021: Restrict Web-Based Content)
- Safeguard 9.2: Use DNS Filtering Services: Use DNS filtering services on all enterprise assets to block access to known malicious domains.
- Safeguard 9.3: Maintain and Enforce Network-Based URL Filters: Enforce and update network-based URL filters to limit an enterprise asset from connecting to potentially malicious or unapproved websites. Example implementations include category-based filtering, reputation-based filtering, or through the use of block lists. Enforce filters for all enterprise assets.
Train users to be aware of access or manipulation attempts by an adversary to reduce the risk of successful spearphishing, social engineering, and other techniques that involve user interaction. (M1017: User Training)
- Safeguard 14.1: Establish and Maintain a Security Awareness Program: Establish and maintain a security awareness program. The purpose of a security awareness program is to educate the enterprise’s workforce on how to interact with enterprise assets and data in a secure manner. Conduct training at hire and, at a minimum, annually. Review and update content annually, or when significant enterprise changes occur that could impact this Safeguard.
- Safeguard 14.6: Train Workforce Members on Recognizing and Reporting Security Incidents: Train workforce members to be able to recognize a potential incident and be able to report such an incident.

REFERENCES:

Apple:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201222
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT213442
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT213443
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT213444
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT213445
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT213446

Multiple Vulnerabilities in Apple Products Could Allow for Arbitrary Code Execution

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