CVE-2022-48503
Apple Multiple Products Unspecified Vulnerability
Description
CVE-2022-48503 is a high-severity improper validation of array index vulnerability affecting multiple Apple products, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS Monterey, tvOS, watchOS, and Safari. The flaw allows arbitrary code execution when processing specially crafted web content. With a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.8 and inclusion in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog with a remediation deadline of November 10, 2025, this vulnerability requires prompt attention. The EPSS score of 0.33% (55.0th percentile) is moderate, but the confirmed active exploitation status elevates the urgency for organizations using affected Apple products.
KEV Information
CVSS Score
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HOpen in CalculatorAffected Products
| Vendor | Product | Version |
|---|---|---|
| apple | safari | < 15.6 |
| apple | ipados | < 15.6 |
| apple | iphone os | < 15.6 |
| apple | macos | >= 12.0.0, < 12.5 |
| apple | tvos | < 15.6 |
| apple | watchos | < 8.7 |
Multiple CVSS Assessments
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
References
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213340(Release Notes, Vendor Advisory)
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213341(Release Notes, Vendor Advisory)
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213342(Release Notes, Vendor Advisory)
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213345(Release Notes, Vendor Advisory)
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213346(Release Notes, Vendor Advisory)
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2022-48503(US Government Resource)
Weakness Type
CWE-129: Improper Validation of Array Index
CWE-129 describes a weakness where software uses an array index value from an untrusted source without proper validation, potentially leading to out-of-bounds memory access. In CVE-2022-48503, processing malicious web content triggers an improperly validated array index, which allows an attacker to read or write to memory locations outside the intended buffer. Apple addressed this by implementing improved bounds checks. This type of vulnerability is commonly exploited in browser-based attacks where carefully crafted web content triggers the memory corruption.
Impact Analysis
The business impact of CVE-2022-48503 is significant due to its broad reach across Apple's product ecosystem. Confidentiality impact is high because successful exploitation through malicious web content could allow an attacker to read sensitive data from the device's memory, including credentials, personal information, and application data. Integrity impact is high as arbitrary code execution enables the attacker to modify files, install malware, or alter system behavior on the compromised device. Availability impact is also high, since the attacker could crash applications, corrupt data, or render the device unusable.
Although the EPSS score of 0.33% (55.0th percentile) suggests moderate exploitation probability in automated scoring, the inclusion in CISA's KEV catalog confirms that exploitation has been observed. The requirement for user interaction (visiting a malicious web page or processing attacker-controlled web content) is the primary limiting factor, but this is a well-established attack vector that threat actors regularly exploit through phishing campaigns and watering hole attacks. The ransomware association is listed as unknown. The broad range of affected products — from iPhones and iPads to Macs, Apple TVs, and Apple Watches — means the potential attack surface in any organization with Apple devices is substantial.
Exploit Maturity
CVE-2022-48503 has been confirmed as actively exploited and is included in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog with a remediation deadline of November 10, 2025. Despite the relatively moderate EPSS score of 0.33% (55.0th percentile), the KEV listing provides authoritative confirmation of real-world exploitation. No specific public exploit tool has been widely circulated for this vulnerability, which is consistent with Apple's typical approach of limiting technical details in advisories to slow attacker adoption. The ransomware usage status is currently unknown. The vulnerability's age (originally from 2022) combined with its recent KEV addition suggests it may have been used in targeted attacks that were only recently attributed to this specific CVE.
Remediation
- Update all affected Apple devices to the patched versions. Apply the following updates: iOS and iPadOS 15.6, macOS Monterey 12.5, tvOS 15.6, watchOS 8.7, and Safari 15.6. Refer to Apple's security release notes for Safari 15.6, iOS and iPadOS 15.6, macOS Monterey 12.5, tvOS 15.6, and watchOS 8.7.
- Enforce automatic updates across managed Apple devices. Use mobile device management (MDM) solutions to ensure all organizational Apple devices are configured to install security updates automatically and are running at minimum the patched versions listed above.
- Implement web content filtering. Deploy web filtering or secure web gateway solutions to block access to known malicious domains and reduce the risk of users encountering exploit-laden web content.
- Educate users about phishing and malicious web content. Since exploitation requires the victim to process attacker-controlled web content, training users to recognize and avoid suspicious links significantly reduces the attack surface.
- Audit device inventory for unpatched Apple products. Identify any devices still running versions prior to the patched releases, including legacy devices that may no longer receive updates, and develop a mitigation plan for those systems.
Technical Details
The CVSS v3.1 base score for CVE-2022-48503 is 8.8 (High) with the vector CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Attack Vector (AV:N) confirms remote exploitation over the network. Attack Complexity (AC:L) indicates no special conditions are required beyond delivering the malicious content. Privileges Required (PR:N) means no authentication is needed. User Interaction (UI:R) is required, meaning a user must visit a malicious web page or open content controlled by the attacker. Scope (S:U) is unchanged, and all three impact metrics — Confidentiality (C:H), Integrity (I:H), and Availability (A:H) — are rated high.
The vulnerability exists in the web content processing engine shared across multiple Apple products. When Safari or any application that renders web content (via WebKit) processes a specially crafted page, an array index value derived from the content is used without proper bounds checking. This allows an attacker to reference memory outside the intended array bounds, leading to memory corruption. By carefully controlling the out-of-bounds access, the attacker can achieve arbitrary code execution in the context of the rendering process. Apple addressed this issue by adding proper bounds checks on array indices before they are used to access memory. The attack is delivered entirely through malicious web content, making it exploitable through standard web browsing or any application that loads web-based content.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2022-48503?
CVE-2022-48503 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Apple's web content processing engine that affects Safari, iOS, iPadOS, macOS Monterey, tvOS, and watchOS. It allows arbitrary code execution when a user visits a malicious web page or processes attacker-controlled web content.
Why is a vulnerability from 2022 in the CISA KEV catalog now?
While CVE-2022-48503 was originally identified and patched in 2022, CISA adds vulnerabilities to the KEV catalog when there is evidence of active exploitation. The recent addition with a November 2025 deadline suggests that exploitation of this vulnerability has been recently observed or confirmed, likely targeting devices that were never updated to the patched versions.
Which Apple devices are affected?
The vulnerability affects a wide range of Apple products: iPhones and iPads running iOS/iPadOS before 15.6, Macs running macOS Monterey before 12.5, Apple TVs running tvOS before 15.6, Apple Watches running watchOS before 8.7, and Safari before version 15.6. Any device running these older versions is vulnerable.
Does exploitation require any user action?
Yes, exploitation requires the user to process malicious web content, typically by visiting an attacker-controlled or compromised web page. This is reflected in the CVSS vector's User Interaction (UI:R) metric. Phishing emails with malicious links are a common delivery mechanism for this type of attack.
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