// For flags

CVE-2022-26688

Apple macOS PackageKit PKCoreShove Link Following System Integrity Protection Bypass Vulnerability

Severity Score

4.4
*CVSS v3.1

Exploit Likelihood

*EPSS

Affected Versions

*CPE

Public Exploits

0
*Multiple Sources

Exploited in Wild

-
*KEV

Decision

-
*SSVC
Descriptions

An issue in the handling of symlinks was addressed with improved validation. This issue is fixed in Security Update 2022-003 Catalina, macOS Monterey 12.3, macOS Big Sur 11.6.5. A malicious app with root privileges may be able to modify the contents of system files.

Se abordó un problema en el manejo de los enlaces simbólicos con una comprobación mejorada. Este problema es corregido en Security Update 2022-003 Catalina, macOS Monterey versión 12.3 y macOS Big Sur versión 11.6.5. Una aplicación maliciosa con privilegios de root podría modificar el contenido de los archivos del sistema

This vulnerability allows local attackers to bypass System Integrity Protection on affected installations of Apple macOS. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.
The specific flaw exists within PackageKit. By creating a symbolic link, an attacker can abuse the service to overwrite arbitrary files. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and modify the contents of system files.

*Credits: Mickey Jin (@patch1t) of Trend Micro
CVSS Scores
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
High
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
None
Integrity
High
Availability
None
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
None
Integrity
High
Availability
None
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Authentication
None
Confidentiality
None
Integrity
Complete
Availability
None
* Common Vulnerability Scoring System
SSVC
  • Decision:-
Exploitation
-
Automatable
-
Tech. Impact
-
* Organization's Worst-case Scenario
Timeline
  • 2022-03-08 CVE Reserved
  • 2022-05-26 CVE Published
  • 2023-03-08 EPSS Updated
  • 2024-08-03 CVE Updated
  • ---------- Exploited in Wild
  • ---------- KEV Due Date
  • ---------- First Exploit
CWE
  • CWE-59: Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
CAPEC
Affected Vendors, Products, and Versions
Vendor Product Version Other Status
Vendor Product Version Other Status <-- --> Vendor Product Version Other Status
Apple
Search vendor "Apple"
Mac Os X
Search vendor "Apple" for product "Mac Os X"
>= 10.15 < 10.15.7
Search vendor "Apple" for product "Mac Os X" and version " >= 10.15 < 10.15.7"
-
Affected
Apple
Search vendor "Apple"
Mac Os X
Search vendor "Apple" for product "Mac Os X"
10.15.7
Search vendor "Apple" for product "Mac Os X" and version "10.15.7"
-
Affected
Apple
Search vendor "Apple"
Mac Os X
Search vendor "Apple" for product "Mac Os X"
10.15.7
Search vendor "Apple" for product "Mac Os X" and version "10.15.7"
security_update_2020
Affected
Apple
Search vendor "Apple"
Mac Os X
Search vendor "Apple" for product "Mac Os X"
10.15.7
Search vendor "Apple" for product "Mac Os X" and version "10.15.7"
security_update_2020-001
Affected
Apple
Search vendor "Apple"
Mac Os X
Search vendor "Apple" for product "Mac Os X"
10.15.7
Search vendor "Apple" for product "Mac Os X" and version "10.15.7"
security_update_2020-005
Affected
Apple
Search vendor "Apple"
Mac Os X
Search vendor "Apple" for product "Mac Os X"
10.15.7
Search vendor "Apple" for product "Mac Os X" and version "10.15.7"
security_update_2020-007
Affected
Apple
Search vendor "Apple"
Mac Os X
Search vendor "Apple" for product "Mac Os X"
10.15.7
Search vendor "Apple" for product "Mac Os X" and version "10.15.7"
security_update_2021-001
Affected
Apple
Search vendor "Apple"
Mac Os X
Search vendor "Apple" for product "Mac Os X"
10.15.7
Search vendor "Apple" for product "Mac Os X" and version "10.15.7"
security_update_2021-002
Affected
Apple
Search vendor "Apple"
Mac Os X
Search vendor "Apple" for product "Mac Os X"
10.15.7
Search vendor "Apple" for product "Mac Os X" and version "10.15.7"
security_update_2021-003
Affected
Apple
Search vendor "Apple"
Mac Os X
Search vendor "Apple" for product "Mac Os X"
10.15.7
Search vendor "Apple" for product "Mac Os X" and version "10.15.7"
security_update_2021-006
Affected
Apple
Search vendor "Apple"
Mac Os X
Search vendor "Apple" for product "Mac Os X"
10.15.7
Search vendor "Apple" for product "Mac Os X" and version "10.15.7"
security_update_2021-007
Affected
Apple
Search vendor "Apple"
Mac Os X
Search vendor "Apple" for product "Mac Os X"
10.15.7
Search vendor "Apple" for product "Mac Os X" and version "10.15.7"
security_update_2021-008
Affected
Apple
Search vendor "Apple"
Mac Os X
Search vendor "Apple" for product "Mac Os X"
10.15.7
Search vendor "Apple" for product "Mac Os X" and version "10.15.7"
security_update_2022-001
Affected
Apple
Search vendor "Apple"
Mac Os X
Search vendor "Apple" for product "Mac Os X"
10.15.7
Search vendor "Apple" for product "Mac Os X" and version "10.15.7"
security_update_2022-002
Affected
Apple
Search vendor "Apple"
Mac Os X
Search vendor "Apple" for product "Mac Os X"
10.15.7
Search vendor "Apple" for product "Mac Os X" and version "10.15.7"
supplemental_update
Affected
Apple
Search vendor "Apple"
Macos
Search vendor "Apple" for product "Macos"
>= 11.0 < 11.6.5
Search vendor "Apple" for product "Macos" and version " >= 11.0 < 11.6.5"
-
Affected
Apple
Search vendor "Apple"
Macos
Search vendor "Apple" for product "Macos"
>= 12.0.0 < 12.3
Search vendor "Apple" for product "Macos" and version " >= 12.0.0 < 12.3"
-
Affected