CVE-2022-26730 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 11/02/2022
A memory corruption issue existed in the processing of ICC profiles. This issue was addressed with improved input validation. This issue is fixed in macOS Ventura 13. Processing a maliciously crafted image may lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/12/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-26730 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within the macOS operating system's handling of ICC color profiles. This issue specifically manifests during the processing of color management data that is embedded within image files, creating a potential pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize or verify the structure and content of ICC profiles before processing them within the system's color management framework.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a maliciously crafted image file containing a specially constructed ICC profile is processed by the affected macOS version. The memory corruption arises from improper handling of malformed profile data that exceeds expected buffer boundaries or contains unexpected data structures. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, though it may also involve heap-based corruption depending on the specific implementation details. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to manipulate memory layout and potentially overwrite critical system structures or function pointers within the color management subsystem.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to macOS users as it can be triggered through common image processing activities without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond opening a malicious image file. The arbitrary code execution capability means that attackers could potentially gain full system control, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malicious payloads. This vulnerability is particularly concerning given that ICC profiles are commonly embedded in various image formats including jpeg, tiff, and png files, making it possible for exploitation to occur through routine file operations or automated processing pipelines. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation.
The fix for CVE-2022-26730 was implemented in macOS Ventura 13 through enhanced input validation mechanisms that rigorously check ICC profile structures before processing. These improvements include stricter bounds checking, validation of profile header fields, and more robust parsing routines that prevent malformed data from causing memory corruption. Organizations should prioritize deployment of macOS Ventura 13 across all affected systems to mitigate this vulnerability. Additional mitigations include implementing strict file validation policies for image processing workflows, particularly in enterprise environments where automated image handling is common. Security teams should also consider monitoring for suspicious image file activity and maintaining up-to-date threat intelligence regarding similar color profile related vulnerabilities that may be exploited in conjunction with this flaw.