Apple watchOS up to 8.5.1 libxml2 use after free

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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6.7$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability marked as critical has been reported in Apple watchOS up to 8.5.1. The affected element is an unknown function of the component libxml2. Performing a manipulation results in use after free. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2022-23308. Remote exploitation of the attack is possible. No exploit is available. It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Apple watchOS up to 8.5.1 (Smartwatch Operating System). It has been classified as critical. This affects an unknown code of the component libxml2. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

The weakness was published 05/16/2022 as HT213253 as confirmed advisory (Website). The advisory is shared at support.apple.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2022-23308. It demands that the victim is doing some kind of user interaction. Neither technical details nor an exploit are publicly available. The advisory points out:

A remote attacker may be able to cause unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 236689 (Alibaba Cloud Linux 3 : 0018: libxml2 (ALINUX3-SA-2022:0018)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 8.6 eliminates this vulnerability. A possible mitigation has been published immediately after the disclosure of the vulnerability. The advisory contains the following remark:

A use after free issue was addressed with improved memory management.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (236689) and EUVD (EUVD-2022-28391). If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.

Productinfo

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Version

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Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.9
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.7

VulDB Base Score: 6.3
VulDB Temp Score: 6.0
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 7.5
NVD Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Use after free
CWE: CWE-416 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 236689
Nessus Name: Alibaba Cloud Linux 3 : 0018: libxml2 (ALINUX3-SA-2022:0018)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

Reaction Time: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Exposure Time: 🔍

Upgrade: watchOS 8.6
Patch: github.com

Timelineinfo

01/17/2022 🔍
05/16/2022 +118 days 🔍
05/16/2022 +0 days 🔍
05/17/2022 +1 days 🔍
04/30/2026 +1444 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: apple.com

Advisory: HT213253
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2022-23308 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2022-23308
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-200085
EUVD: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 05/17/2022 18:51
Updated: 04/30/2026 02:37
Changes: 05/17/2022 18:51 (18), 05/17/2022 18:54 (27), 05/24/2022 10:22 (3), 05/24/2022 10:27 (18), 05/17/2025 18:51 (16), 04/30/2026 02:37 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.

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