CVE-2022-32821

Kernel code execution via GPU driver memory corruption

Published Sep 23, 2022 · Updated May 22, 2025

Memory corruption in Apple GPU drivers before macOS Monterey 12.5, tvOS 15.6, and watchOS 8.7 allows local users to execute kernel code. The drivers insufficiently validate app-controlled data before an out-of-bounds write corrupts kernel memory; Apple has not disclosed the affected routine or buffer. A user must run a crafted app, after which successful exploitation grants kernel privileges and can compromise the device.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.67%
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 Apple GPU drivers before macOS Monterey 12.5, tvOS 15.6, and watchOS 8.7 allows local users to execute kernel code. The drivers insufficiently validate app-controlled data before an out-of-bounds write corrupts kernel memory; Apple has not disclosed the affected routine or buffer. A user must run a crafted app, after which successful exploitation grants kernel privileges and can compromise the device.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-32821
Published
Sep 23, 2022
Updated
May 22, 2025
Vendor
Apple
Product
tvOS
Classifications
CWE-787, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 23, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. May 22, 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 vectorlocal
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

7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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
T1068Exploitation 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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