CVE-2022-26771

Kernel code execution via IOSurfaceAccelerator memory corruption

Published May 26, 2022 · Updated May 30, 2025

Memory corruption in IOSurfaceAccelerator in Apple watchOS before 8.6 allows local users to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. The component mishandles internal state and corrupts memory, but Apple has not disclosed the faulty operation or attacker-controlled input. A malicious application must run on an affected Apple Watch; successful exploitation crosses the application boundary and gains kernel-level code execution.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability1.04%
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 IOSurfaceAccelerator in Apple watchOS before 8.6 allows local users to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. The component mishandles internal state and corrupts memory, but Apple has not disclosed the faulty operation or attacker-controlled input. A malicious application must run on an affected Apple Watch; successful exploitation crosses the application boundary and gains kernel-level code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-26771
Published
May 26, 2022
Updated
May 30, 2025
Vendor
Apple
Product
watchOS
Classifications
CWE-787, T1404
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

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 <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 NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
9.3NIST NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
7.8CISA-ADPCVSS: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 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

CWE-787Out-of-bounds Write
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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