CVE-2022-22676

Unauthorized file deletion via XPC event validation

Published May 26, 2022 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Improper input validation in PackageKit on macOS before 12.2 allows local users to delete files without required permission. A PackageKit XPC service event handler accepts an application's request without adequately validating whether the caller is authorized for the requested file operation. Execution of a malicious local application is required, and the demonstrated consequence is unauthorized file deletion rather than file reading or code execution.

CVSS severityUnavailable
Unscored
EPSS probability0.72%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper input validation in PackageKit on macOS before 12.2 allows local users to delete files without required permission. A PackageKit XPC service event handler accepts an application's request without adequately validating whether the caller is authorized for the requested file operation. Execution of a malicious local application is required, and the demonstrated consequence is unauthorized file deletion rather than file reading or code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-22676
Published
May 26, 2022
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Apple
Product
macOS
Classifications
T1070.004
Attack vector
local
Privileges
Unavailable

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 26, 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 <12.2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesUnavailable in this record.

What is affected?

Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <12.2

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.

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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
PrivilegesUnavailable
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

T1070.004File Deletion

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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