CVE-2022-22665: 
macOS vulnerability analysis and mitigation

CVE-2022-22665 is a security vulnerability discovered in Apple's macOS operating systems (Monterey, Big Sur, and Catalina). The vulnerability was disclosed and patched in March 2022 as part of macOS Monterey 12.3 update. It affects the AppKit component and allows a malicious application to gain root privileges through a logic issue (Apple Support, NVD).

The vulnerability is a logic issue in the AppKit component that was addressed with improved validation. It has been assigned a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8 (HIGH) with the vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. The vulnerability requires local access and user interaction to be exploited (NVD).

When successfully exploited, this vulnerability allows a malicious application to gain root privileges on the affected system, potentially leading to complete system compromise with the highest level of access (Apple Support).

Apple has addressed this vulnerability by implementing improved validation in the following updates: macOS Monterey 12.3, macOS Big Sur 11.6.5, and Security Update 2022-003 Catalina. Users are advised to update their systems to the latest available version (Apple Support).

The vulnerability was discovered and reported by Lockheed Martin Red Team, highlighting the involvement of major security research teams in identifying critical Apple security issues (Apple Support).