CVE-2022-22596

Kernel code execution via undisclosed memory corruption

Published Mar 18, 2022 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Memory corruption in the Apple kernel in iOS and iPadOS before 15.4 and watchOS before 8.5 allows local users to execute kernel code. Apple states that improved validation corrected the corruption but has not disclosed the faulty validation path, data structure, or untrusted input. Exploitation requires executing an application on the device and grants kernel privileges, crossing the application sandbox boundary.

CVSS severityUnavailable
Unscored
EPSS probability0.35%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
Coverage for this vulnerability

See if you're affected

Explore vulnerability checks for your environment with Hinoki.

Book a demo

Summary

What happened

Memory corruption in the Apple kernel in iOS and iPadOS before 15.4 and watchOS before 8.5 allows local users to execute kernel code. Apple states that improved validation corrected the corruption but has not disclosed the faulty validation path, data structure, or untrusted input. Exploitation requires executing an application on the device and grants kernel privileges, crossing the application sandbox boundary.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-22596
Published
Mar 18, 2022
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Apple
Product
iOS and iPadOS
Classifications
T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Mar 18, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=unspecified <15.4

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · iOS and iPadOSversion=unspecified <15.4
Apple · watchOSversion=unspecified <8.5

Published CVSS scores

No CVSS assessment is available in this record.

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

See the directory against your own environment.

Your stack

Check the software in your environment

Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.

Book a demo