CVE-2022-26757Public exploit

Kernel code execution via flow-divert race

Published May 26, 2022 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Kernel use-after-free in Apple watchOS before 8.6 allows local users to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges through an application. A race between flow_divert_pcb_insert and flow_divert_detach can release the same flow-divert control block twice, leaving a thread to access freed kernel memory. Execution requires a local application and a winning thread interleaving; successful exploitation crosses the application boundary into the kernel.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability2.92%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Kernel use-after-free in Apple watchOS before 8.6 allows local users to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges through an application. A race between flow_divert_pcb_insert and flow_divert_detach can release the same flow-divert control block twice, leaving a thread to access freed kernel memory. Execution requires a local application and a winning thread interleaving; successful exploitation crosses the application boundary into the kernel.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-26757
Published
May 26, 2022
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Apple
Product
watchOS
Classifications
CWE-416, T1068
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

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.

  1. Affected versionversion=unspecified <11.6
  2. Affected versionversion=unspecified <12.4
  3. Affected versionversion=unspecified <15.5
  4. Affected versionversion=unspecified <2022
  5. Affected versionversion=unspecified <8.6

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · watchOSversion=unspecified <11.6; version=unspecified <12.4; version=unspecified <15.5; version=unspecified <2022; version=unspecified <8.6

Published CVSS scores

9.3NIST National Vulnerability DatabaseAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
7.8NIST National Vulnerability DatabaseCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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 exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-416Use After Free
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Public exploit references

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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