How severe is CVE-2018-4478?

CVE-2018-4478 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.8, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over physical access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2018-4478 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (19th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2018-4478?

CVE-2018-4478 primarily affects Apple Mac Os X. In total, 17 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2018-4478?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2018-4478 published?

CVE-2018-4478 was published on 2021-12-23 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2018-4478

CVE-2018-4478 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Apple Mac Os X with a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-269.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 6.8)
CVSS v2: 7.2
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (19th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-269
Affected product: Apple Mac Os X
Published: 2021-12-23
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A validation issue was addressed with improved logic. This issue is fixed in macOS High Sierra 10.13.5, Security Update 2018-003 Sierra, Security Update 2018-003 El Capitan. An attacker with physical access to a device may be able to elevate privileges.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2018-4478?: A validation issue was addressed with improved logic. This issue is fixed in macOS High Sierra 10.13.5, Security Update 2018-003 Sierra, Security Update 2018-003 El Capitan. An attacker with physical access to a device may be able to elevate privileges.
How severe is CVE-2018-4478?: CVE-2018-4478 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.8, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over physical access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2018-4478 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (19th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2018-4478?: CVE-2018-4478 primarily affects Apple Mac Os X. In total, 17 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2018-4478?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2018-4478 published?: CVE-2018-4478 was published on 2021-12-23 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208849

Affected products (17)

cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.11.6:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.11.6:security_update_2016-001:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.11.6:security_update_2016-002:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.11.6:security_update_2016-003:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.11.6:security_update_2017-001:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.11.6:security_update_2017-002:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.11.6:security_update_2017-003:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.11.6:security_update_2017-004:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.11.6:security_update_2017-005:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.11.6:security_update_2018-001:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.11.6:security_update_2018-002:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.12.6:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.12.6:security_update_2017-001:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.12.6:security_update_2017-002:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.12.6:security_update_2018-001:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.12.6:security_update_2018-002:*:*:*:*:*:*

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