CVE-2022-22675
CVE-2022-22675 is a security flaw in Apple macOS, the operating system on Macs. Attackers can run their own code on Apple macOS. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks on 4 Apr 2022.[1]
Apple macOS is in things households have, such as phones, computers, browsers and everyday apps, so the fix matters at home as much as at work. Fixed in version 15.4, 12.3, 8.6 and 15.5 and others.
Description
CISA calls it an out-of-bounds write in Apple macOS. In its words: “macOS Monterey contains an out-of-bounds write vulnerability that could allow an application to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.”[1]
The CVE record adds: “An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved bounds checking. This issue is fixed in tvOS 15.5, watchOS 8.6, macOS Big Sur 11.6.6, macOS Monterey 12.3.1, iOS 15.4.1 and iPadOS 15.4.1. An application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited..”[2]
The underlying weakness is improper input validation (CWE-20), out-of-bounds read (CWE-125), in MITRE’s list of common software weaknesses.
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System, which rates it high, scored by NVD using CVSS 3.1.[2]
Affected versions
NVD’s record lists these fixed versions: in each line, everything before the version shown is affected.[2]
| Product | Fixed in |
|---|---|
| iOS and iPadOS | 15.4 |
| macOS | 12.3 |
| watchOS | 8.6 |
| watchOS | 15.5 |
| watchOS | 11.6 |
Every device with Apple macOS needs the update.
Exploitation
CISA added it to its catalog of known exploited vulnerabilities on 4 Apr 2022. CISA lists a flaw only when it has reliable evidence of it being exploited, and gave US federal agencies until 25 Apr 2022 to fix it.[1]
FIRST’s Exploit Prediction Scoring System, which estimates how likely a flaw is to be used in attacks in the next 30 days from what it sees across the internet, puts it at 12%. That’s in the top 4% of the flaws it scores.[4]
CISA assesses it as not automatable: each attack takes some work.
CISA doesn’t say who was attacked, or how.
Fix
Apple has published a fix or advice.[3] CISA’s required action: “Apply updates per vendor instructions.”[1]
- Update Apple macOS now.On iPhone and iPad: Settings, General, Software Update. On a Mac: System Settings, General, Software Update. Install it on every Apple device in the house. Then turn on automatic updates, so the next fix arrives on its own.
- Check you’re on 15.4 or later.Fixed in version 15.4, 12.3, 8.6 and 15.5 and others. Anything older is what attackers are going after.
- If there’s no update, stop using it.CISA’s advice when a flaw being used in attacks has no fix is to stop using the product until it does.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| CISA adds it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks.[1] | |
| CISA’s deadline for US government agencies to fix it.[1] | |
| The flaw is made public in the National Vulnerability Database, with a severity score of 7.8.[2] | |
| FIRST puts the odds of it being used in attacks in the next 30 days at 12%.[4] |
See also
Other Apple macOS flaws
- CVE-2026-65400: improper authentication ·
- CVE-2019-8526: use-after-free ·
- CVE-2022-22674: out-of-bounds read ·
- CVE-2021-30713: unspecified ·
- CVE-2021-30657: unspecified ·
Other Apple flaws
- CVE-2026-86950, Apple devices: out-of-bounds write ·
- CVE-2025-43520, Apple devices: classic buffer overflow ·
- CVE-2025-43510, Apple devices: improper locking ·
- CVE-2025-31277, Apple devices: buffer overflow ·
- CVE-2023-43000, Apple devices: use-after-free ·
Other improper input validation flaws
- CVE-2026-93952, Arista VeloCloud Orchestrator: improper input validation ·
- CVE-2019-1068, Microsoft SQL Server: remote code execution ·
- CVE-2026-12569, PTC Windchill and FlexPLM: improper input validation ·
- CVE-2026-34910, Ubiquiti UniFi OS: improper input validation ·
- CVE-2026-6973, Ivanti Endpoint Manager Mobile (EPMM): improper input validation ·
Added the same day
- CVE-2022-22965, VMware Spring Framework: JDK 9+ remote code execution ·
- CVE-2022-22674, Apple macOS: out-of-bounds read ·
- CVE-2021-45382, D-Link Multiple Routers: remote code execution ·
Every Apple flaw on CISA’s list · Everything added in April 2022
References
- ^ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “Apple macOS Out-of-Bounds Write Vulnerability”. Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, added 4 Apr 2022.
- ^ National Institute of Standards and Technology. “CVE-2022-22675 Detail”. National Vulnerability Database, published 26 May 2022.
- ^ Apple. Advisories and fixes: support.apple.com, support.apple.com, support.apple.com, support.apple.com, support.apple.com.
- ^ FIRST. “Exploit Prediction Scoring System”. EPSS 0.125, percentile 96.2, 31 Oct 2026.
- CVE Program. “CVE-2022-22675”. The official CVE record.
This article is built from CISA’s catalog (version 2026.10.30), NVD’s record and FIRST’s scores, kept in HARD’s database and checked every morning. The plain English is HARD’s.