CVE-2022-26702

Kernel code execution via use-after-free

Published May 26, 2022 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Use-after-free in AppleAVD in Apple watchOS before 8.6 allows local users to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges through an application. Apple has disclosed only that AppleAVD uses unsafe memory management after an object is freed; no public detail identifies the object or operation. Execution requires an application to run on an affected Apple Watch, after which code gains kernel privileges and can compromise the device.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability1.13%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Use-after-free in AppleAVD in Apple watchOS before 8.6 allows local users to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges through an application. Apple has disclosed only that AppleAVD uses unsafe memory management after an object is freed; no public detail identifies the object or operation. Execution requires an application to run on an affected Apple Watch, after which code gains kernel privileges and can compromise the device.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-26702
Published
May 26, 2022
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Apple
Product
watchOS
Classifications
CWE-416, T1404
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

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 <15.5
  2. Affected versionversion=unspecified <8.6

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · watchOSversion=unspecified <15.5; version=unspecified <8.6

Published CVSS scores

7.8NIST National Vulnerability DatabaseCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
9.3NIST National Vulnerability DatabaseAV:N/AC:M/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 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-416Use After Free
T1404Exploitation 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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