CVE-2022-42856
CVE-2022-42856 is a security flaw in Apple iOS, the operating system on iPhones and iPads. Attackers can run their own code on Apple iOS. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks on 14 Dec 2022.[1]
Apple iOS 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 16.2, 13.1, 15.7 and 16.1 of tvOS.
Description
CISA calls it a type confusion in Apple iOS. In its words: “Apple iOS contains a type confusion vulnerability when processing maliciously crafted web content leading to code execution.”[1]
The CVE record adds: “A type confusion issue was addressed with improved state handling. This issue is fixed in Safari 16.2, tvOS 16.2, macOS Ventura 13.1, iOS 15.7.2 and iPadOS 15.7.2, iOS 16.1.2. Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited against versions of iOS released before iOS 15.1..”[2]
The underlying weakness is type confusion (CWE-843), in MITRE’s list of common software weaknesses.
It scores 8.8 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 |
|---|---|
| tvOS | 16.2 |
| tvOS | 13.1 |
| tvOS | 15.7 |
| tvOS | 16.1 |
Every device with Apple iOS needs the update.
Exploitation
CISA added it to its catalog of known exploited vulnerabilities on 14 Dec 2022. CISA lists a flaw only when it has reliable evidence of it being exploited, and gave US federal agencies until 4 Jan 2023 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 9%. That’s in the top 5% 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 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 16.2 or later.Fixed in version 16.2, 13.1, 15.7 and 16.1 of tvOS. 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 8.8.[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 9%.[4] |
See also
Other Apple iOS flaws
- CVE-2016-4657: webkit memory corruption ·
- CVE-2016-4656: memory corruption ·
- CVE-2016-4655: information disclosure ·
- CVE-2019-7287: memory corruption ·
- CVE-2021-30762: webKit use-after-free ·
- CVE-2021-30761: webKit memory corruption ·
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 type confusion flaws
- CVE-2026-85046, Chrome and other Chromium browsers: type confusion ·
- CVE-2026-21519, Microsoft Windows: type confusion ·
- CVE-2025-13223, Chrome and other Chromium browsers: type confusion ·
- CVE-2025-10585, Chrome and other Chromium browsers: type confusion ·
- CVE-2025-6554, Chrome and other Chromium browsers: type confusion ·
Every Apple flaw on CISA’s list · Everything added in December 2022
References
- ^ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “Apple iOS Type Confusion Vulnerability”. Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, added 14 Dec 2022.
- ^ National Institute of Standards and Technology. “CVE-2022-42856 Detail”. National Vulnerability Database, published 15 Dec 2022.
- ^ Apple. Advisories and fixes: support.apple.com, support.apple.com, support.apple.com, support.apple.com, support.apple.com.
- ^ FIRST. “Exploit Prediction Scoring System”. EPSS 0.085, percentile 95.0, 31 Oct 2026.
- CVE Program. “CVE-2022-42856”. 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.