CVE-2022-32788Network attack vector

Remote kernel code execution via AppleAVD overflow

Published Sep 20, 2022 · Updated May 28, 2025

A buffer overflow in AppleAVD allows remote attackers to execute kernel code on macOS before 12.5, tvOS before 15.6, and watchOS before 8.7. Apple states that deficient bounds checking permits the overflow but has not disclosed the affected function or input field. The issue is remotely reachable without authentication or user interaction, and successful exploitation executes code with kernel privileges.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability2.22%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

A buffer overflow in AppleAVD allows remote attackers to execute kernel code on macOS before 12.5, tvOS before 15.6, and watchOS before 8.7. Apple states that deficient bounds checking permits the overflow but has not disclosed the affected function or input field. The issue is remotely reachable without authentication or user interaction, and successful exploitation executes code with kernel privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-32788
Published
Sep 20, 2022
Updated
May 28, 2025
Vendor
Apple
Product
tvOS
Classifications
CWE-120
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 20, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. May 28, 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 <15.6

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · tvOSversion=unspecified <15.6
Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <12.5
Apple · watchOSversion=unspecified <15.6; version=unspecified <8.7

Published CVSS scores

9.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
9.8CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/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.

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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)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-120Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow')

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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