CVE-2022-22625
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to read memory outside intended boundaries when processing malicious AppleScript binaries. It affects macOS Catalina, Big Sur, and Monterey users, potentially causing application crashes or memory disclosure.
💻 Affected Systems
- macOS
📦 What is this software?
Macos by Apple
macOS is Apple's desktop and laptop operating system powering Mac computers used by millions of professionals, developers, creative professionals, and enterprise users worldwide. Built on a Unix foundation with the Darwin kernel and modern Cocoa frameworks, macOS delivers a seamless ecosystem integr...
Learn more about Macos →Macos by Apple
macOS is Apple's desktop and laptop operating system powering Mac computers used by millions of professionals, developers, creative professionals, and enterprise users worldwide. Built on a Unix foundation with the Darwin kernel and modern Cocoa frameworks, macOS delivers a seamless ecosystem integr...
Learn more about Macos →Macos by Apple
macOS is Apple's desktop and laptop operating system powering Mac computers used by millions of professionals, developers, creative professionals, and enterprise users worldwide. Built on a Unix foundation with the Darwin kernel and modern Cocoa frameworks, macOS delivers a seamless ecosystem integr...
Learn more about Macos →Macos by Apple
macOS is Apple's desktop and laptop operating system powering Mac computers used by millions of professionals, developers, creative professionals, and enterprise users worldwide. Built on a Unix foundation with the Darwin kernel and modern Cocoa frameworks, macOS delivers a seamless ecosystem integr...
Learn more about Macos →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Sensitive process memory disclosure leading to information leakage, credential theft, or system compromise.
Likely Case
Application crashes (denial of service) or limited memory disclosure.
If Mitigated
No impact if systems are patched or AppleScript processing is restricted.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires user to execute malicious AppleScript binary; no known public exploits.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: macOS Big Sur 11.6.5, macOS Monterey 12.3, Security Update 2022-003 Catalina
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213183
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open System Preferences > Software Update. 2. Install available security updates. 3. Restart the system when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict AppleScript execution
allLimit execution of AppleScript binaries via application controls or policies.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application allowlisting to block unknown AppleScript binaries.
- Educate users about risks of opening untrusted AppleScript files.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check macOS version via 'sw_vers' command and compare with patched versions.Check Version:
sw_versVerify Fix Applied:
Verify installed security update in System Preferences > Software Update > Installed Updates.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Application crashes related to AppleScript execution
- Unexpected process termination logs
SIEM Query:
Process termination events with AppleScript-related executables