CVE-2023-32355

Protected filesystem modification via PackageKit state mishandling

Published Jun 23, 2023 · Updated Dec 5, 2024

PackageKit logic error in Apple macOS allows local users to modify protected filesystem areas through a locally executed app. The component mishandles internal state during package operations, but Apple has not disclosed the affected routine or precise state transition that permits protected-path writes. Affected systems are Big Sur before 11.7.7, Monterey before 12.6.6, and Ventura before 13.4; the disclosed consequence is limited to filesystem modification.

CVSS severityUnavailable
Unscored
EPSS probability0.29%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
Coverage for this vulnerability

See if you're affected

Explore vulnerability checks for your environment with Hinoki.

Book a demo

Summary

What happened

PackageKit logic error in Apple macOS allows local users to modify protected filesystem areas through a locally executed app. The component mishandles internal state during package operations, but Apple has not disclosed the affected routine or precise state transition that permits protected-path writes. Affected systems are Big Sur before 11.7.7, Monterey before 12.6.6, and Ventura before 13.4; the disclosed consequence is limited to filesystem modification.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-32355
Published
Jun 23, 2023
Updated
Dec 5, 2024
Vendor
Apple
Product
macOS
Classifications
CWE-281
Attack vector
local
Privileges
Unavailable

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 23, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Dec 5, 2024Record 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 <13.4

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesUnavailable in this record.

What is affected?

Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <11.7; version=unspecified <12.6; version=unspecified <13.4

Published CVSS scores

No CVSS assessment is available in this record.

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
PrivilegesUnavailable
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-281Improper Preservation of Permissions

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

See the directory against your own environment.

Your stack

Check the software in your environment

Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.

Book a demo