CVE-2022-26727

Protected file-system modification via deficient PackageKit entitlements

Published May 26, 2022 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Improper authorization in PackageKit in Apple macOS before 12.4 allows local users to modify protected file-system areas. Apple identifies deficient PackageKit entitlements but has not disclosed which operation accepts unauthorized input or which protected paths are writable. Execution of a malicious local application and user interaction are required; the documented consequence is file-system modification, not code execution.

CVSS severity5.5
Medium
EPSS probability0.59%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper authorization in PackageKit in Apple macOS before 12.4 allows local users to modify protected file-system areas. Apple identifies deficient PackageKit entitlements but has not disclosed which operation accepts unauthorized input or which protected paths are writable. Execution of a malicious local application and user interaction are required; the documented consequence is file-system modification, not code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-26727
Published
May 26, 2022
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Apple
Product
Security Update Catalina
Classifications
T1565.001
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 <2022

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · Security Update Catalinaversion=unspecified <2022
Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <12.4

Published CVSS scores

5.5NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N
4.3NIST NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:N

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

Weakness, pattern, technique

T1565.001Stored Data Manipulation

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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