CVE-2022-32942

Kernel code execution via undisclosed DriverKit memory flaw

Published Dec 15, 2022 · Updated Apr 21, 2025

A DriverKit memory-safety flaw in affected Apple macOS releases allows local users to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Apple identifies the DriverKit component and improper memory handling but has not disclosed the faulty operation or attacker-controlled input. A local app must run on Big Sur before 11.7.2, Monterey before 12.6.2, or Ventura 13.0 to reach the kernel-level impact.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.36%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
Coverage for this vulnerability

See if you're affected

Explore vulnerability checks for your environment with Hinoki.

Book a demo

Summary

What happened

A DriverKit memory-safety flaw in affected Apple macOS releases allows local users to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Apple identifies the DriverKit component and improper memory handling but has not disclosed the faulty operation or attacker-controlled input. A local app must run on Big Sur before 11.7.2, Monterey before 12.6.2, or Ventura 13.0 to reach the kernel-level impact.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-32942
Published
Dec 15, 2022
Updated
Apr 21, 2025
Vendor
Apple
Product
macOS
Classifications
CWE-125, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 15, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 21, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=unspecified <11.7
  2. Affected versionversion=unspecified <12.6
  3. Affected versionversion=unspecified <13.1

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <11.7; version=unspecified <12.6; version=unspecified <13.1

Published CVSS scores

7.8NVDCVSS: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 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-125Out-of-bounds Read
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

See the directory against your own environment.

Your stack

Check the software in your environment

Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.

Book a demo