CVE-2022-43454

Kernel code execution via double free

Published Mar 10, 2025 · Updated Feb 26, 2026

A kernel double free in affected Apple operating systems allows local users to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges through a malicious app. The kernel releases the same allocation twice; Apple has not disclosed the affected function or attacker-controlled object reaching the faulty lifetime path. Exploitation requires user interaction to run an app locally and grants kernel-level control over data and system operation.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.21%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

A kernel double free in affected Apple operating systems allows local users to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges through a malicious app. The kernel releases the same allocation twice; Apple has not disclosed the affected function or attacker-controlled object reaching the faulty lifetime path. Exploitation requires user interaction to run an app locally and grants kernel-level control over data and system operation.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-43454
Published
Mar 10, 2025
Updated
Feb 26, 2026
Vendor
Apple
Product
iOS and iPadOS
Classifications
CWE-415, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Mar 10, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Feb 26, 2026Record 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 <16.2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · iOS and iPadOSversion=unspecified <16.2
Apple · tvOSversion=unspecified <16.2
Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <13.1
Apple · watchOSversion=unspecified <9.2

Published CVSS scores

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-415Double Free
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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