CVE-2022-26764

Kernel mitigation bypass via undisclosed memory corruption

Published May 26, 2022 · Updated May 30, 2025

Memory corruption in the Apple watchOS Kernel before 8.6 allows attackers with kernel code execution to bypass kernel memory mitigations. Apple attributes the flaw to insufficient validation in the Kernel but has not disclosed the affected code path, input, or corrupting operation. Exploitation requires prior kernel code execution and weakens kernel memory protections rather than independently granting code execution.

CVSS severity4.7
Medium
EPSS probability0.86%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Memory corruption in the Apple watchOS Kernel before 8.6 allows attackers with kernel code execution to bypass kernel memory mitigations. Apple attributes the flaw to insufficient validation in the Kernel but has not disclosed the affected code path, input, or corrupting operation. Exploitation requires prior kernel code execution and weakens kernel memory protections rather than independently granting code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-26764
Published
May 26, 2022
Updated
May 30, 2025
Vendor
Apple
Product
watchOS
Classifications
CWE-787, T1211
Attack vector
local
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 26, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. May 30, 2025Record 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 <12.4
  2. Affected versionversion=unspecified <15.5
  3. Affected versionversion=unspecified <8.6

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

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

Published CVSS scores

2.6NIST NVDAV:N/AC:H/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:N
4.7NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N
4.7CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/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.

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
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-787Out-of-bounds Write
T1211Exploitation for Defense Evasion

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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