CVE-2022-32840

Kernel code execution via undisclosed Neural Engine checks

Published Aug 24, 2022 · Updated May 29, 2025

Improper privilege management in Apple Neural Engine on macOS before 12.5 and watchOS before 8.7 allows local users to execute kernel code. Apple identifies only deficient checks in the component and has not disclosed the input, code path, or validation error that reaches kernel execution. Exploitation requires a crafted local app on a device with Apple Neural Engine, after which attacker-controlled code runs with kernel privileges.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.63%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper privilege management in Apple Neural Engine on macOS before 12.5 and watchOS before 8.7 allows local users to execute kernel code. Apple identifies only deficient checks in the component and has not disclosed the input, code path, or validation error that reaches kernel execution. Exploitation requires a crafted local app on a device with Apple Neural Engine, after which attacker-controlled code runs with kernel privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-32840
Published
Aug 24, 2022
Updated
May 29, 2025
Vendor
Apple
Product
macOS
Classifications
CWE-269, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 24, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. May 29, 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 <12.5

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

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-269Improper Privilege Management
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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