CVE-2022-26765: Apple watchOS · Race Condition
Affects Apple watchOSSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 4.7 Medium : upgrade to 8.6 when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 06:26 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 10% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 8.6
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:NExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 26 May 2022
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 2026-10-26.
What to do
Upgrade Apple watchOS to 8.6.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Apple watchOS | Affected
| Fixed in
|
AI-suggested
European organizations should ensure that all Apple devices, including Apple Watches, iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple TVs, are updated promptly to the patched OS versions: watchOS 8.6, tvOS 15.5, macOS Monterey 12.4, iOS 15.5, and iPadOS 15.5 or later. Given the requirement for local access and arbitrary read/write capabilities, organizations should enforce strict physical security controls to prevent unauthorized device access. Implementing Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions can help enforce timely updates and monitor device compliance. Additionally, organizations should restrict the installation of untrusted applications and monitor for unusual device behavior that could indicate exploitation attempts. Employee awareness training about the risks of device theft or unauthorized access can further reduce exposure. For high-security environments, consider limiting the use of Apple Watches or other vulnerable devices where possible until patches are applied.
Description
A race condition was addressed with improved state handling. This issue is fixed in watchOS 8.6, tvOS 15.5, macOS Monterey 12.4, iOS 15.5 and iPadOS 15.5. A malicious attacker with arbitrary read and write capability may be able to bypass Pointer Authentication.