CVE-2022-26761 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 05/27/2022
A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in Security Update 2022-004 Catalina, macOS Big Sur 11.6.6. An application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/30/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw that existed within the macOS operating system kernel, specifically affecting versions prior to Security Update 2022-004 Catalina and macOS Big Sur 11.6.6. The issue stems from inadequate memory handling mechanisms that could be exploited by malicious applications to gain unauthorized kernel-level privileges. Memory corruption vulnerabilities of this nature typically arise when software fails to properly validate or manage memory allocations, leading to situations where attacker-controlled data can overwrite critical kernel memory regions. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, though the specific implementation likely involves heap corruption or use-after-free scenarios that are common in kernel memory management. Such flaws represent severe security risks because they allow privilege escalation from user-level application contexts to the highest system privileges, effectively granting attackers complete control over the affected system.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-26761 extends far beyond simple system instability, as it creates a pathway for persistent system compromise that can persist across reboots and remain undetected by standard user-level monitoring tools. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, enabling them to bypass all standard security controls, modify system files, install rootkits, and establish persistent backdoors. The kernel-level execution capability means that traditional application sandboxing and user permission models become ineffective, as the attacker operates at the core of the operating system where all security boundaries are breached. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which describes 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and specifically targets the kernel as a high-value target for attackers seeking maximum system control. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where macOS systems may be exposed to untrusted applications or where social engineering attacks could lead to privilege escalation through seemingly legitimate software.
Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of Security Update 2022-004 Catalina and macOS Big Sur 11.6.6 to address this critical vulnerability, as the window for exploitation remains open for systems running unaffected versions. System administrators should conduct comprehensive inventory checks to identify all affected macOS systems and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. The memory corruption nature of this vulnerability suggests that traditional antivirus solutions may not detect exploitation attempts, making behavioral monitoring and system integrity checks crucial for early detection. Additional mitigations should include implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent untrusted applications from running, disabling unnecessary services, and maintaining regular system backups to enable rapid recovery in case of successful exploitation. Security teams should also consider implementing macOS-specific monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous kernel activity patterns, as the vulnerability's exploitation would likely generate unusual system behavior that could be flagged by appropriate monitoring tools. The fix addresses the root cause through improved memory handling mechanisms that prevent the specific conditions leading to kernel privilege escalation, thereby protecting against both current and future variants of similar exploitation techniques.