CVE-2022-42840

Kernel code execution via ppp out-of-bounds write

Published Dec 15, 2022 · Updated Apr 21, 2025

Out-of-bounds write in Apple's macOS ppp component allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges via a crafted app. The ppp component performs an out-of-bounds write during memory handling, but Apple has not disclosed the affected routine or input. Execution of the attacker-controlled app requires user interaction; successful exploitation runs code in the kernel and can compromise the system.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.37%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Out-of-bounds write in Apple's macOS ppp component allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges via a crafted app. The ppp component performs an out-of-bounds write during memory handling, but Apple has not disclosed the affected routine or input. Execution of the attacker-controlled app requires user interaction; successful exploitation runs code in the kernel and can compromise the system.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-42840
Published
Dec 15, 2022
Updated
Apr 21, 2025
Vendor
Apple
Product
macOS
Classifications
CWE-787, 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
  4. Affected versionversion=unspecified <15.7
  5. Affected versionversion=unspecified <16.2

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; version=unspecified <15.7; version=unspecified <16.2

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 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-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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