CVE-2024-27822Public exploit

Root code execution via inherited ZSH environment

Published May 13, 2024 · Updated Apr 2, 2026

Local privilege escalation in PackageKit in Apple macOS before 14.5 allows local users to execute code as root via a ZSH-based PKG. PackageKit starts PKG scripts as root while retaining the current user's environment, causing ZSH to load attacker-controlled commands from that user's .zshenv file. Exploitation requires code execution in the user's context and a user-initiated installation of a PKG whose script uses ZSH; MDM- and Munki-driven installations are not exposed.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability1.46%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Local privilege escalation in PackageKit in Apple macOS before 14.5 allows local users to execute code as root via a ZSH-based PKG. PackageKit starts PKG scripts as root while retaining the current user's environment, causing ZSH to load attacker-controlled commands from that user's .zshenv file. Exploitation requires code execution in the user's context and a user-initiated installation of a PKG whose script uses ZSH; MDM- and Munki-driven installations are not exposed.

The record

CVE
CVE-2024-27822
Published
May 13, 2024
Updated
Apr 2, 2026
Vendor
Apple
Product
macOS
Classifications
CWE-277, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 13, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 2, 2026Record 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=0 <14.5

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · macOSversion=0 <14.5

Published CVSS scores

7.4CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.8NVDCVSS: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
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-277Insecure Inherited Permissions
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Public exploit references

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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