CVE-2022-32848

Vulnerability

A logic issue existed in macOS that prevented proper validation of screen-capture authorization. An app could exploit this flaw to capture the user's screen without triggering the standard security prompts. The vulnerability affected macOS Monterey before 12.5 and macOS Big Sur before 11.6.8 [1][2].

Exploitation

An attacker would need to convince the target to install a malicious app—either through social engineering or by distributing it via the Mac App Store if the app passes review. The app could then silently activate screen recording APIs without displaying the usual permission dialog, leveraging the logic flaw to bypass user consent.

Impact

A successful exploit allows an app to capture the user's screen, leading to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information displayed on the screen, such as passwords, private messages, or financial data. The app does not require root or kernel privileges to perform this capture.

Mitigation

Apple addressed the issue in macOS Monterey 12.5 and macOS Big Sur 11.6.8, both released on July 20, 2022. Users should update to those versions or later to protect against this vulnerability. No workarounds are available for unpatched systems, and the CVE is not listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog as of this writing.