PatchTheCVECVE-2022-42856: Apple iOS Type Confusion Vulnerability
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HIGH 8.8EXPLOITEDUPGRADEUPGRADEUPGRADE
CVE-2022-42856 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.8) affecting safari, ipados, iphone os, reported as exploited in the wild. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
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..
Why this priority
- High severity
- EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited
- Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV)
A fixed release or distro patch exists.
Risk facts
| CVSS score | 8.8 (High) |
| Attack vector | Network (remote) |
| Attack complexity | Low |
| Privileges needed | None |
| User interaction | Required |
| EPSS exploit chance | 8.5% (top 5%) |
| CISA exploited list | Yes, fix due 2023-01-04 |
| Weakness | CWE-843 |
| Published | 2022-12-15 |
| Last modified | 2026-06-17 |
Publisher (CNA): Apple Inc. · Vendor: apple
Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score
Am I affected?
Timeline
- Exploited Added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list
- Published CVE record published
- Deadline CISA due date for US federal agencies to patch
- Updated Record last modified
apple safari UPGRADE
Affected: < 16.2
Fixed in: 16.2
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy safari || rpm -q safari || safari --version
2. UPGRADE to 16.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade safari
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade safari
Note
Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.
apple ipados UPGRADE
Affected: < 15.7.2
Fixed in: 15.7.2
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
apple iphone os UPGRADE
Affected: < 15.7.2 · >= 16.0 and < 16.1.2
Fixed in: 15.7.2, 16.1.2
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 16.0
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
apple macos UPGRADE
Affected: < 13.1
Fixed in: 13.1
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
apple tvos UPGRADE
Affected: < 16.2
Fixed in: 16.2
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
Exact fixes by distribution
Fedora ELN · libslirp · FIXED · 4.9.7-1.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-209cb94e13 · source
sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-209cb94e13
Fedora 46 · modpoll · FIXED · 1.6.1-1.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-60d403ff15 · source
sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-60d403ff15
Ubuntu 20.04 · webkit2gtk · FIXED · 2.38.3-0ubuntu0.20.04.1
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade webkit2gtk
dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' webkit2gtk)" ge "2.38.3-0ubuntu0.20.04.1" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE
Ubuntu 22.04 · webkit2gtk · FIXED · 2.38.3-0ubuntu0.22.04.1
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade webkit2gtk
dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' webkit2gtk)" ge "2.38.3-0ubuntu0.22.04.1" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE
Ubuntu 24.04 · webkit2gtk · FIXED · 2.38.3-1
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade webkit2gtk
dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' webkit2gtk)" ge "2.38.3-1" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE
Debian 12 · webkit2gtk · FIXED · 2.38.3-1
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade webkit2gtk
dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' webkit2gtk)" ge "2.38.3-1" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE
Debian 13 · webkit2gtk · FIXED · 2.38.3-1
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade webkit2gtk
dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' webkit2gtk)" ge "2.38.3-1" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE
Debian 12 · wpewebkit · FIXED · 2.38.3-1
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade wpewebkit
dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' wpewebkit)" ge "2.38.3-1" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE
Debian 13 · wpewebkit · FIXED · 2.38.3-1
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade wpewebkit
dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' wpewebkit)" ge "2.38.3-1" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE
RHEL 7 Extended Lifecycle Support · webkitgtk4 · FIXED · webkitgtk4-2.48.3-2.el7_9
sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2025:10364
rpm -q webkitgtk4
RHEL 8 · webkit2gtk3 · FIXED · webkit2gtk3-2.36.7-1.el8_7.1
sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2023:0016
rpm -q webkit2gtk3
RHEL 9 · webkit2gtk3 · FIXED · webkit2gtk3-2.36.7-1.el9_1.1
sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2023:0021
rpm -q webkit2gtk3
RHEL 6 · webkitgtk · DEFERRED
RHEL 7 · webkitgtk3 · DEFERRED
sudo yum update --advisory=ALAS2-2023-2088
Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · CISA KEV catalog · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.
Quick answers
How do I fix CVE-2022-42856?
safari: upgrade to 16.2; ipados: upgrade to 15.7.2; iphone os: upgrade to 15.7.2, 16.1.2. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2022-42856 being exploited?
Yes. CVE-2022-42856 is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list, so treat it as patch-now.
What does CVE-2022-42856 affect?
CVE-2022-42856 affects safari, ipados, iphone os. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). 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
How urgent is CVE-2022-42856?
Priority 80/100. High severity; EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited; Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV)
Software pages
iOS vulnerabilities · macOS vulnerabilities · Safari vulnerabilities · Apple Safari and WebKit vulnerabilities · iPadOS vulnerabilities · tvOS vulnerabilities
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