CVE-2022-24671

Root code execution via update-script symlink handling

Published Feb 24, 2022 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Link-following in Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac 11.0.2150 and earlier allows local users to execute code as root during updates. The program_after_update script follows an attacker-created symbolic link and loosens permissions on the linked local file. Exploitation requires prior low-privileged code execution on the Mac and turns that foothold into unrestricted root-level code execution.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.42%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Link-following in Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac 11.0.2150 and earlier allows local users to execute code as root during updates. The program_after_update script follows an attacker-created symbolic link and loosens permissions on the linked local file. Exploitation requires prior low-privileged code execution on the Mac and turns that foothold into unrestricted root-level code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-24671
Published
Feb 24, 2022
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Trend Micro
Product
Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac
Classifications
CWE-59, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
Unavailable

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 24, 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=11.0.2150 and below

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesUnavailable in this record.

What is affected?

Trend Micro · Trend Micro Antivirus for Macversion=11.0.2150 and below

Published CVSS scores

7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.2NIST NVDAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C

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 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
PrivilegesUnavailable
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-59Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
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

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Your stack

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