CVE-2022-42827
CVE-2022-42827 is a security flaw in Apple iOS and iPadOS, the operating system on iPhones and iPads. Attackers can run their own code on Apple iOS and iPadOS. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks on 25 Oct 2022.[1]
Apple iOS and iPadOS 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 16.1 and 15.7 of iOS and iPadOS.
Description
CISA calls it an out-of-bounds write in Apple iOS and iPadOS. In its words: “Apple iOS and iPadOS kernel contain an out-of-bounds write vulnerability which can allow an application to perform code execution with kernel privileges.”[1]
The CVE record adds: “An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved bounds checking. This issue is fixed in iOS 15.7.1 and iPadOS 15.7.1, iOS 16.1 and iPadOS 16. An 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 7.8 out of 10 on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System, which rates it high, 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 | 16.1 |
| iOS and iPadOS | 15.7 |
Every device with Apple iOS and iPadOS needs the update.
Exploitation
CISA added it to its catalog of known exploited vulnerabilities on 25 Oct 2022. CISA lists a flaw only when it has reliable evidence of it being exploited, and gave US federal agencies until 15 Nov 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 1%. That’s in the top 36% of the flaws it scores.[4]
CISA assesses it as not automatable: each attack takes some work.
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 iPadOS 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 16.1 or later.Fixed in version 16.1 and 15.7 of iOS and iPadOS. 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] | |
| The flaw is made public in the National Vulnerability Database, with a severity score of 7.8.[2] | |
| CISA’s deadline for US government agencies to fix it.[1] | |
| FIRST puts the odds of it being used in attacks in the next 30 days at 1%.[4] |
See also
Other Apple iOS and iPadOS flaws
- CVE-2023-41974: use-after-free ·
- CVE-2025-24200: incorrect authorization ·
- CVE-2023-42824: kernel privilege escalation ·
- CVE-2021-30983: buffer overflow ·
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 ·
Every Apple flaw on CISA’s list · Everything added in October 2022
References
- ^ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “Apple iOS and iPadOS Out-of-Bounds Write Vulnerability”. Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, added 25 Oct 2022.
- ^ National Institute of Standards and Technology. “CVE-2022-42827 Detail”. National Vulnerability Database, published 1 Nov 2022.
- ^ Apple. Advisories and fixes: support.apple.com, support.apple.com.
- ^ FIRST. “Exploit Prediction Scoring System”. EPSS 0.011, percentile 64.6, 31 Oct 2026.
- CVE Program. “CVE-2022-42827”. 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.