Published: June 2024  
Author: CyberSafety Simplified


Apple prides itself on building secure products, but even the biggest tech companies run into surprises. One such example is CVE-2022-42799, a user interface (UI) spoofing vulnerability that Apple patched across its major software platforms in late 2022. In this article, we’ll break down what this bug was, how it could be exploited, show a simple code example, and—most importantly—how Apple fixed it.

What Is CVE-2022-42799?

CVE-2022-42799 is a security vulnerability related to UI spoofing in multiple Apple operating systems, including:

iOS 16.1 and iPadOS 16

The root of the issue isn’t a deep system flaw or a rogue piece of hidden code, but the way the user interface was handled. Visiting a specially crafted, malicious website could mislead users through deceptive UI elements. For example, attackers could display what looks like a legitimate login box or system dialog, tricking people into entering their credentials or other sensitive info.

Why Is UI Spoofing Dangerous?

UI spoofing is when the screen shows you something that looks safe—but is actually under an attacker’s control. Imagine a website that perfectly mimics your iPhone’s Face ID prompt or a macOS permissions dialog. Users trust the look, and attackers exploit that trust.

Threat Scenario:  
A user, Jane, visits EvilSite[.]com inside Safari. The site shows a fake iCloud login prompt, cleverly blending with the device’s theme. If Jane types in her password—it’s game over. The attacker now has her Apple ID credentials.

The Technical Bit: How Could Attackers Exploit It?

Let’s see a simplified example using HTML/CSS/JavaScript. (Note: This code does not hack anything by itself—it's for educational illustration!)

Suppose an attacker uses a web page to render a dialog box that looks identical to an official Apple popup:

<div id="fake-popup" style="
  position: fixed; top: 30%; left: 50%; transform: translate(-50%, -30%);
  background: #fff; border-radius: 16px; width: 320px;
  border: 1px solid #ddd; box-shadow:  4px 32px rgba(,,,.2); z-index: 9999; padding: 20px;
  font-family: system-ui, sans-serif;">
  <img src="apple-logo.png" style="width:32px; display:block; margin: auto 16px;">
  <h3 style="text-align:center;">Sign in to iCloud</h3>
  <input type="password" placeholder="Apple ID Password" style="
    width:100%; padding:9px; margin-top:16px; border:1px solid #bbb; border-radius:8px;">
  <button style="
    width:100%; margin-top:18px; padding:10px ; background:#0071e3; color:#fff; border:none;
    border-radius:8px; font-size:16px;">Continue</button>
</div>

A little CSS can make this look shockingly authentic. JavaScript could then post the entered data to the attacker's server.

The official Apple security update pages summarize this flaw

- About the security content of iOS 16.1 and iPadOS 16 – Apple Support
- About the security content of Safari 16.1 – Apple Support
- Apple Security Updates (master list)

The Apple note says

> “Visiting a malicious website may lead to user interface spoofing. This issue was addressed with improved UI handling.”

How Did Apple Fix It?

Apple's engineers improved how UI elements are displayed, so a website *cannot* so easily create fake overlays that fully mimic trusted system dialogs or browser warnings. In simple terms, they tightened browser and OS handling of these popups, making it much harder for attackers to *fool* users with web-based lookalikes.

All you need to know:  
Update to tvOS 16.1, macOS Ventura 13, watchOS 9.1, Safari 16.1, iOS 16.1 or iPadOS 16 (or later).

Lessons for Everyday Users

- Always double-check the context! If you see a password prompt, see if it comes from the app or from a web page.

Update your devices regularly, so you’re protected as soon as these patches drop.

- Be skeptical of websites asking for system credentials—especially if they don’t seem to fit with what you’re doing.

The Bottom Line

CVE-2022-42799 wasn’t the flashiest exploit, but it’s a great example of how easy it is to trick even tech-savvy users by copying familiar system UIs. Apple’s fix makes it harder for bad actors, but it’s always smart to keep your eyes open—digitally speaking.

Stay safe and always keep your device updated!

Want more info? Read Apple's official bulletin:  
- Apple Support: About the security content of iOS 16.1 and iPadOS 16


*This article was created exclusively for educational purposes and does not promote malicious behavior in any form.*

Timeline

Published on: 11/01/2022 20:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 11/15/2022 03:15:00 UTC