CVE-2022-46712

Kernel code execution via use-after-free

Published Feb 27, 2023 · Updated Mar 11, 2025

Use-after-free in the kernel of Apple macOS before 13 allows local users to crash the system or execute code with kernel privileges. Apple identifies the kernel as the locus and a use-after-free as the wrong memory operation but does not disclose the affected function or object. Execution requires a locally launched app and user interaction; successful exploitation compromises the kernel, while failure can terminate the system.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.26%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Use-after-free in the kernel of Apple macOS before 13 allows local users to crash the system or execute code with kernel privileges. Apple identifies the kernel as the locus and a use-after-free as the wrong memory operation but does not disclose the affected function or object. Execution requires a locally launched app and user interaction; successful exploitation compromises the kernel, while failure can terminate the system.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-46712
Published
Feb 27, 2023
Updated
Mar 11, 2025
Vendor
Apple
Product
macOS
Classifications
CWE-416, T1068
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 <13

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <13

Published CVSS scores

7.8NIST NVDCVSS: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.

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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-416Use After 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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