CVE-2022-42800

Code execution via insufficient zlib checks

Published Nov 1, 2022 · Updated Apr 22, 2025

Improper input validation in zlib in Apple macOS and watchOS allows local users to terminate an app or execute arbitrary code. The affected zlib code applies insufficient checks while processing input, but Apple has not disclosed the input form or erroneous operation. Local user-level access is required; successful triggering either crashes the consuming app or executes code with that app's privileges.

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

What happened

Improper input validation in zlib in Apple macOS and watchOS allows local users to terminate an app or execute arbitrary code. The affected zlib code applies insufficient checks while processing input, but Apple has not disclosed the input form or erroneous operation. Local user-level access is required; successful triggering either crashes the consuming app or executes code with that app's privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-42800
Published
Nov 1, 2022
Updated
Apr 22, 2025
Vendor
Apple
Product
macOS
Classifications
CWE-20, T1203
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Nov 1, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 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 <11.7
  2. Affected versionversion=unspecified <12.6
  3. Affected versionversion=unspecified <13
  4. Affected versionversion=unspecified <15.7
  5. Affected versionversion=unspecified <16.1

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <11.7; version=unspecified <12.6; version=unspecified <13; version=unspecified <15.7; version=unspecified <16.1
Apple · watchOSversion=unspecified <9.1

Published CVSS scores

7.8CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/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.

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
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-20Improper Input Validation
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution

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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