CVE-2022-42808 - Out-of-Bounds Write Issue Addressed in Latest Apple OS Updates, Preventing Remote Kernel Code Execution

Introduction:
In recent years, many security vulnerabilities have been discovered that can lead to remote code execution attacks. One such vulnerability, CVE-2022-42808, was recently addressed by Apple in their latest round of operating system updates. This vulnerability is an out-of-bounds write issue that was previously exploitable by a remote user, potentially leading to kernel code execution. In this post, we will discuss the details of this vulnerability, provide a code snippet demonstrating the issue, and provide links to original references for further reading. We will also discuss the latest updates to Apple's operating systems that fix this vulnerability.

CVE-2022-42808 - Exploit Details

This vulnerability is an out-of-bounds write issue, where an attacker could potentially cause kernel code execution by providing malformed input that triggers the writing of data to an unintended location in memory. This could lead to data corruption, denial of service, or remote code execution, depending on the specific nature of the exploit and the targeted system's configuration.

The following code snippet demonstrates (pseudo-code) the vulnerability

char buffer[256];
int input_length;

/* Read input data from an untrusted source, e.g. network connection */
read_input_data(&input_length, &buffer);

/* Vulnerable out-of-bounds write due to lack of proper bounds checking */
if (input_length <  || input_length > 256) {
    // Input length is not properly checked
 } else {
    buffer[input_length] = '\'; // Out-of-bounds write occurs here
 }

In this example, the code reads input data from an untrusted source (e.g., a network connection) and then writes a null terminator to the buffer at the position specified by input_length. However, the bounds checking is inadequate, as it does not account for the case where input_length is equal to the buffer size. This can lead to an out-of-bounds write, corrupting memory adjacent to the buffer and potentially allowing for remote code execution.

Original References

1. CVE-2022-42808 - NIST National Vulnerability Database
2. Apple Security Updates - Official Documentation

watchOS 9.1

It's essential to update your Apple devices with the latest operating system releases to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.

Conclusion

This post provided an overview of the CVE-2022-42808 vulnerability, an out-of-bounds write issue that was addressed by Apple in their latest round of operating system updates. By providing an example code snippet, links to original references, and the specific system updates that fix this problem, we hope we've conveyed the importance of keeping your Apple devices updated in order to stay safe from potential remote kernel code execution attacks.

Remember, staying informed and vigilant when it comes to security vulnerabilities and software updates is critical to protecting yourself and your devices from potential threats.

Timeline

Published on: 11/01/2022 20:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 11/03/2022 03:54:00 UTC