← Vulnerability feed

Vulnerability record · CVE-2022-22587 · published 18 March 2022

CVE-2022-22587: Apple iOS, iPadOS and macOS kernel memory corruption via out-of-bounds write

Apple · Ipados

An out-of-bounds write (CWE-787) in Apple iOS, iPadOS and macOS is caused by insufficient input validation and can corrupt memory. Apple states it is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited, and fixes are available in iOS 15.3, iPadOS 15.3, macOS Big Sur 11.6.3 and macOS Monterey 12.2.

9.8 CVSS 3.1 Critical CISA KEV since 28 Jan 2022 EPSS 12% · top 4.1% CWE-787 · Out-of-bounds write
9.8CVSS 3.1 base score, v2 10.0
12%EPSS exploitation probability, 30 days
YesIn CISA KEV, fix deadline passed
3Affected product versions listed by NVD
7References
17 Jun 2026Last modified by NVD

Description

A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved input validation. This issue is fixed in iOS 15.3 and iPadOS 15.3, macOS Big Sur 11.6.3, macOS Monterey 12.2. A malicious application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited..

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Automated analysis

Generated by VULONE's analysis model from the NVD record, CISA KEV and EPSS data on 17 September 2026. Confidence: high.

critical priorityCVSS 9.8, CISA KEV listing with a past remediation due date, and Apple's statement of possible active exploitation make this a top remediation priority.

What it is

An out-of-bounds write (CWE-787) in Apple iOS, iPadOS and macOS is caused by insufficient input validation and can corrupt memory. Apple states it is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited, and fixes are available in iOS 15.3, iPadOS 15.3, macOS Big Sur 11.6.3 and macOS Monterey 12.2.

Impact

A malicious application can execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, giving the attacker full control of the affected device.

Attack surface

The flaw is reached locally by a malicious application running on the device; the CVSS vector (AV:N, PR:N, UI:N) rates it network-reachable with no privileges or user interaction, but the description frames the trigger as a malicious app, so the practical path is local code execution on an unpatched device.

Exploitation

CVE-2022-22587 is listed in CISA KEV with a 2022-01-28 addition date and a 2022-02-11 remediation due date, and Apple states it may have been actively exploited; EPSS 30-day probability is 0.11638 (95.8th percentile). No ransomware use is documented.

What to do

  • Update to iOS 15.3, iPadOS 15.3, macOS Big Sur 11.6.3 or macOS Monterey 12.2 per Apple advisories HT213053, HT213054 and HT213055.
  • Prioritize patching internet-facing and high-value Apple devices first, given KEV listing and known exploitation.
  • Restrict installation of untrusted or sideloaded applications on managed Apple devices.
  • Verify patch compliance across iPhone, iPad and Mac fleets and track unpatched assets to closure.

Detection

  • Monitor for unexpected kernel-level crashes or panics on Apple devices that could indicate memory corruption attempts.
  • Audit application installation and execution events on managed devices for untrusted or sideloaded apps.
  • Check endpoint management reports for devices still running versions prior to iOS/iPadOS 15.3 or the fixed macOS releases.

This assessment is produced automatically and is not human-reviewed. Verify against the vendor advisory before acting on it.

Exploitation in the wild

CISA added CVE-2022-22587 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 28 January 2022 as "Apple Memory Corruption Vulnerability". Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions. Federal deadline 11 February 2022.

Affected products

3 vulnerable configurations from NVD's CPE data, grouped by vendor and product.

References

LinkTags
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213053 Release NotesVendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213054 Release NotesVendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213055 Release NotesVendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213053 Release NotesVendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213054 Release NotesVendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213055 Release NotesVendor Advisory
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2022-22587 Third Party AdvisoryUS Government Resource

Track CVE-2022-22587 inside VULONE

Watch it alongside the ransomware crews, C2 infrastructure and forum chatter that reference it, query it through the API and pull it into your SIEM over TAXII.

Start free Open in platform

Related vulnerabilities

Same products first, then exploited flaws of the same weakness class.

10.0CVE-2025-43300Apple iOS, iPadOS and macOS out-of-bounds write via malicious imageAn out-of-bounds write in Apple iOS, iPadOS and macOS is triggered when processing a malicious image file, causing memory corruption. Apple states th…KEVEPSS 22%analysed10.0CVE-2025-24201Apple WebKit out-of-bounds write allows sandbox escapeCVE-2025-24201 is an out-of-bounds write in Apple's WebKit that was addressed with improved checks. Maliciously crafted web content may break out of …KEVEPSS 3.8%analysed10.0CVE-2025-24085Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, watchOS Use-After-Free Privilege EscalationA use-after-free flaw in Apple's operating systems was fixed through improved memory management in iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3 and 17.7.6, macOS Sequoia 15…KEVEPSS 18%analysed9.8CVE-2026-65400Apple macOS Screen Sharing authentication bypassAn improper authentication flaw in Apple macOS Screen Sharing allows a network attacker to authenticate without valid credentials. Apple fixed it via…KEVEPSS 1.2%analysed9.8CVE-2025-31200Apple OS media parsing memory corruption allows code executionA memory corruption flaw in Apple's audio stream processing was fixed with improved bounds checking across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS and wat…KEVEPSS 19%analysed9.8CVE-2025-31201Apple OS Pointer Authentication bypass via arbitrary read/writeApple removed vulnerable code that allowed an attacker holding arbitrary read and write capability to bypass Pointer Authentication across iOS, iPadO…KEVEPSS 14%analysed9.8CVE-2021-1870Apple WebKit logic flaw allows remote code executionA logic issue in Apple's WebKit was addressed with improved restrictions, affecting macOS Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave, iOS and iPadOS, plus WebKitGTK a…KEVEPSS 7.7%analysed9.8CVE-2021-1871Apple WebKit logic flaw allows remote code executionA logic issue in Apple's WebKit was addressed with improved restrictions. It affects macOS Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave, iOS and iPadOS, and a remote at…KEVEPSS 7.0%analysed

Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database (record CVE-2022-22587), CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS (scores of 2026-09-26). This page is refreshed as NVD updates the record.