CVE-2022-42791

Kernel code execution via Software Update race

Published Nov 1, 2022 · Updated May 5, 2025

A race condition in Software Update in Apple macOS before 13 allows local users to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Software Update mishandles state during concurrent execution, but Apple has not identified the raced object or the operations that leave it inconsistent. Successful exploitation requires a local user to run a malicious app and grants that app kernel-level code execution.

CVSS severity7.0
High
EPSS probability0.24%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

A race condition in Software Update in Apple macOS before 13 allows local users to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Software Update mishandles state during concurrent execution, but Apple has not identified the raced object or the operations that leave it inconsistent. Successful exploitation requires a local user to run a malicious app and grants that app kernel-level code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-42791
Published
Nov 1, 2022
Updated
May 5, 2025
Vendor
Apple
Product
macOS
Classifications
CWE-362, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Nov 1, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. May 5, 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 <13

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <13

Published CVSS scores

7.0NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.0CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/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-362Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization ('Race Condition')
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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