CVE-2022-48618

CVE-2022-48618 is a time-of-check/time-of-use (TOCTOU, CWE-367) memory-corruption flaw in Apple's operating systems that an attacker with arbitrary read and write capability can use to bypass Pointer Authentication (PAC), Apple's hardware-based mitigation that cryptographically signs pointers to defeat common exploit techniques. It is a local, low-privilege, high-complexity flaw (CVSS 3.1: 7.0, AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N), so it is typically chained after another vulnerability that first grants an arbitrary memory read/write primitive rather than exploited on its own. By defeating PAC, the attacker removes a key defense that normally limits the reliability of memory-corruption exploits, making it easier to turn arbitrary memory access into full code execution on the device. Affected users are those running iOS/iPadOS prior to 16.2, macOS Ventura prior to 13.1, watchOS prior to 9.2, or tvOS prior to 16.2. Apple reported the flaw was already exploited against versions of iOS released before iOS 15.7.1, and CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2024-01-31, confirming in-the-wild exploitation; no public proof-of-concept is known.

What to do: Upgrade to iOS/iPadOS 16.2, macOS Ventura 13.1, watchOS 9.2 and tvOS 16.2 or later, prioritizing iPhones and iPads still running iOS below 15.7.1, which Apple confirmed were exploited. Inventory Apple endpoints via MDM/UEM and treat the KEV listing as a patching deadline per CISA's required action. Note that this flaw is typically chained after another bug granting arbitrary read/write, so ensure the full Apple security-update backlog is applied rather than treating PAC bypass in isolation.