CVE-2022-22587
CVE-2022-22587 is a security flaw in Apple iOS and macOS, the software on Apple’s iPhones, iPads and Macs. Attackers can run their own code on Apple iOS and macOS. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks on 28 Jan 2022.[1]
Apple iOS and macOS is in things households have, such as phones, computers, browsers and everyday apps, so the fix matters at home as much as at work. Fixed in version 15.3, 12.2 and 11.6.
Description
CISA calls it a memory corruption in Apple iOS and macOS. In its words: “Apple IOMobileFrameBuffer contains a memory corruption vulnerability which can allow a malicious application to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.”[1]
The CVE record adds: “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..”[2]
The underlying weakness is improper input validation (CWE-20), out-of-bounds write (CWE-787), in MITRE’s list of common software weaknesses.
It scores 9.8 out of 10 on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System, which rates it critical, scored by NVD using CVSS 3.1.[2]
Affected versions
NVD’s record lists these fixed versions: in each line, everything before the version shown is affected.[2]
| Product | Fixed in |
|---|---|
| iOS and iPadOS | 15.3 |
| macOS | 12.2 |
| macOS | 11.6 |
Every device with Apple iOS and macOS needs the update.
Exploitation
CISA added it to its catalog of known exploited vulnerabilities on 28 Jan 2022. CISA lists a flaw only when it has reliable evidence of it being exploited, and gave US federal agencies until 11 Feb 2022 to fix it.[1]
FIRST’s Exploit Prediction Scoring System, which estimates how likely a flaw is to be used in attacks in the next 30 days from what it sees across the internet, puts it at 12%. That’s in the top 4% of the flaws it scores.[4]
CISA assesses it as automatable: attackers can run it against many targets at once.
CISA doesn’t say who was attacked, or how.
Fix
Apple has published a fix or advice.[3] CISA’s required action: “Apply updates per vendor instructions.”[1]
- Update Apple iOS and macOS now.On iPhone and iPad: Settings, General, Software Update. On a Mac: System Settings, General, Software Update. Install it on every Apple device in the house. Then turn on automatic updates, so the next fix arrives on its own.
- Check you’re on 15.3 or later.Fixed in version 15.3, 12.2 and 11.6. Anything older is what attackers are going after.
- If there’s no update, stop using it.CISA’s advice when a flaw being used in attacks has no fix is to stop using the product until it does.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| CISA adds it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks.[1] | |
| CISA’s deadline for US government agencies to fix it.[1] | |
| The flaw is made public in the National Vulnerability Database, with a severity score of 9.8.[2] | |
| FIRST puts the odds of it being used in attacks in the next 30 days at 12%.[4] |
See also
Other Apple iOS and macOS flaws
- CVE-2022-32894: out-of-bounds write ·
- CVE-2022-32893: out-of-bounds write ·
- CVE-2019-6223: group facetime ·
Other Apple flaws
- CVE-2026-86950, Apple devices: out-of-bounds write ·
- CVE-2026-65400, Apple macOS: improper authentication ·
- CVE-2025-43520, Apple devices: classic buffer overflow ·
- CVE-2025-43510, Apple devices: improper locking ·
- CVE-2025-31277, Apple devices: buffer overflow ·
Other improper input validation flaws
- CVE-2026-93952, Arista VeloCloud Orchestrator: improper input validation ·
- CVE-2019-1068, Microsoft SQL Server: remote code execution ·
- CVE-2026-12569, PTC Windchill and FlexPLM: improper input validation ·
- CVE-2026-34910, Ubiquiti UniFi OS: improper input validation ·
- CVE-2026-6973, Ivanti Endpoint Manager Mobile (EPMM): improper input validation ·
Added the same day
- CVE-2021-20038, SonicWall SMA 100 Appliances: stack-based buffer overflow ·
- CVE-2020-5722, Grandstream UCM6200: networks UCM6200 series SQL injection ·
- CVE-2020-0787, Microsoft Windows: background intelligent transfer service (BITS) improper privilege management ·
- CVE-2017-5689, Intel Active Management Technology (AMT), Small Business Technology (SBT), and Standard Manageability: privilege escalation ·
- CVE-2014-7169, GNU Bourne-Again Shell (Bash): arbitrary code execution ·
Every Apple flaw on CISA’s list · Everything added in January 2022
References
- ^ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “Apple Memory Corruption Vulnerability”. Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, added 28 Jan 2022.
- ^ National Institute of Standards and Technology. “CVE-2022-22587 Detail”. National Vulnerability Database, published 18 Mar 2022.
- ^ Apple. Advisories and fixes: support.apple.com, support.apple.com, support.apple.com.
- ^ FIRST. “Exploit Prediction Scoring System”. EPSS 0.116, percentile 96.1, 31 Oct 2026.
- CVE Program. “CVE-2022-22587”. The official CVE record.
This article is built from CISA’s catalog (version 2026.10.30), NVD’s record and FIRST’s scores, kept in HARD’s database and checked every morning. The plain English is HARD’s.