CVE-2022-22638Network attack vector

Denial of service via kernel null-pointer dereference

Published Mar 18, 2022 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Kernel null-pointer dereference in Apple iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, watchOS, and macOS allows privileged attackers to cause denial of service. The kernel reaches a null pointer because an unspecified input or state is inadequately validated; Apple has not disclosed the affected function or trigger. Affected releases precede iOS, iPadOS, and tvOS 15.4, watchOS 8.5, Big Sur 11.6.5, Catalina Security Update 2022-003, and Monterey 12.3; the interruption mode is undisclosed.

CVSS severity6.5
Medium
EPSS probability1.93%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Kernel null-pointer dereference in Apple iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, watchOS, and macOS allows privileged attackers to cause denial of service. The kernel reaches a null pointer because an unspecified input or state is inadequately validated; Apple has not disclosed the affected function or trigger. Affected releases precede iOS, iPadOS, and tvOS 15.4, watchOS 8.5, Big Sur 11.6.5, Catalina Security Update 2022-003, and Monterey 12.3; the interruption mode is undisclosed.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-22638
Published
Mar 18, 2022
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Apple
Product
iOS and iPadOS
Classifications
CWE-476, T1499
Attack vector
network
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

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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 vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · iOS and iPadOSversion=unspecified <15.4
Apple · tvOSversion=unspecified <15.4
Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <11.6; version=unspecified <12.3; version=unspecified <2022
Apple · watchOSversion=unspecified <8.5

Published CVSS scores

4.0NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:N/I:N/A:P
6.5NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

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)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-476NULL Pointer Dereference
T1499Endpoint Denial of Service

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

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Your stack

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