Kernel code execution via H.264 buffer overflow
Published May 26, 2022 · Updated Oct 21, 2025
An out-of-bounds write in AppleAVD in iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS allows local users to execute code with kernel privileges. A crafted H.264 stream supplies cpb_cnt_minus1 up to 255, causing parseHRD to copy as many as 256 bitrate entries into a fixed 32-element buffer. Exploitation requires code execution or media processing on the device; Apple reported active exploitation, and affected macOS 12.3 and iOS 15.4 builds also exposed the path through message thumbnailing.
Summary
What happened
An out-of-bounds write in AppleAVD in iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS allows local users to execute code with kernel privileges. A crafted H.264 stream supplies cpb_cnt_minus1 up to 255, causing parseHRD to copy as many as 256 bitrate entries into a fixed 32-element buffer. Exploitation requires code execution or media processing on the device; Apple reported active exploitation, and affected macOS 12.3 and iOS 15.4 builds also exposed the path through message thumbnailing.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2022-22675
- Published
- May 26, 2022
- Updated
- Oct 21, 2025
- Vendor
- Apple
- Product
- iOS and iPadOS
- Classifications
- CWE-787, T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Apr 4, 2022Exploitation reportedCISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog entry
- May 26, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Oct 21, 2025Record 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.
- Affected versionversion=unspecified <15.4
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
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.
Public exploit references
- AppleAVD parseHRD partial proof of conceptproof of concept · demonstrated
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Reported exploitation
- CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog entryknown exploited catalog
- Apple active-exploitation reportreported exploitation
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