CVE-2022-46704

Protected-filesystem modification via PackageKit state flaw

Published Feb 27, 2023 · Updated Mar 11, 2025

Incorrect authorization in PackageKit in Apple macOS 11.0 through 11.7.1, 12.0 through 12.6.1, and 13.0 allows local users to modify protected files. PackageKit mishandles internal state while processing an application request, but Apple has not disclosed the affected operation or state transition. Execution by a local application and user interaction are required; the reported consequence is limited to unauthorized file-system modification.

CVSS severity5.5
Medium
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

Incorrect authorization in PackageKit in Apple macOS 11.0 through 11.7.1, 12.0 through 12.6.1, and 13.0 allows local users to modify protected files. PackageKit mishandles internal state while processing an application request, but Apple has not disclosed the affected operation or state transition. Execution by a local application and user interaction are required; the reported consequence is limited to unauthorized file-system modification.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-46704
Published
Feb 27, 2023
Updated
Mar 11, 2025
Vendor
Apple
Product
macOS
Classifications
CWE-863, T1565.001
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 27, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Mar 11, 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 <13.1

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

5.5NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N

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-863Incorrect Authorization
T1565.001Stored Data Manipulation

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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