CVE-2026-39871

Path Handling Vulnerability Allows Unauthorized Observation of User Data

Published May 11, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 7.5 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed

Description

A path handling issue was addressed with improved logic. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.7.7, macOS Sonoma 14.8.7, macOS Tahoe 26.5. An app may be able to observe unprotected user data.

Analysis

Technical impact

A path handling issue was identified in macOS that permits a malicious or compromised application to observe unprotected user data. The flaw arises from insufficient validation of file system paths, which enables information disclosure and corresponds to an unauthorized access vulnerability (CWE‑552).

Affected Systems

Apple macOS is affected. Versions of macOS Sequoia earlier than 15.7.7, macOS Sonoma earlier than 14.8.7, and macOS Tahoe earlier than 26.5 are vulnerable. The issue was mitigated in the releases mentioned in the advisory.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 7.5 indicates a high severity, while the EPSS score of less than 1% suggests a low probability of exploitation at this time. The vulnerability is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog. An attacker could leverage this flaw from any application that can access the file system, typically on the same local workstation. The risk remains primarily local, affecting the confidentiality of sensitive files accessible to the user or applications with user privileges.

Affected Products

Default status is the baseline for the product, each version can override it (e.g. patched versions marked unaffected).

Vendor Product Default status Versions

Apple

macOS

affected

Version	Status	Constraints
`0`	affected	< 14.8.7
`0`	affected	< 15.7.7
`0`	affected	< 26.5

Configuration 1 [-]

OR	cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos::::::::
	cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos::::::::
	cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos::::::::

No data.

Vendor Product Versions

Apple

Macos

Version	Status	Scheme	Platform
`[0,14.8.7)`	affected	generic	—
`[0,15.7.7)`	affected	generic	—
`[0,26.5)`	affected	generic	—

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

Upgrade macOS to the latest releases that contain the fix: Sequoia 15.7.7, Sonoma 14.8.7, or Tahoe 26.5.
Restart the system to ensure that updated binaries are loaded.
Consider temporarily disabling or monitoring third‑party applications that have previously accessed sensitive files until the update is applied.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on May 12, 2026 at 18:37 UTC.

Tracking

Advisories

No advisories available

Metrics

No CVSS v4.0

Attack Vector Network

Attack Complexity Low

Privileges Required None

Scope Unchanged

Confidentiality Impact High

Integrity Impact None

Availability Impact None

User Interaction None

No CVSS v3.0

No CVSS v2

This CVE is not in the KEV list.

Exploit prediction score: < 1% (0.311% probability within 30 days)

Exploitation none

Automatable yes

Technical Impact partial

References

Link	Providers
https://support.apple.com/en-us/127115
https://support.apple.com/en-us/127116
https://support.apple.com/en-us/127117

History

May 12, 2026 7:00 PM Title updated View changes

Type	Values Removed	Values Added
Title		Path Handling Vulnerability Allows Unauthorized Observation of User Data

May 12, 2026 5:30 PM Affected versions updated View changes

Type	Values Removed	Values Added
CPEs		cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos::::::::

May 12, 2026 4:30 PM Title updated. Weaknesses updated View changes

Type	Values Removed	Values Added
Title	Path Handling Issue Allows Observation of Unprotected User Data
Weaknesses	CWE-200

May 12, 2026 2:15 PM Weaknesses updated. Scoring metrics updated View changes

Type	Values Removed	Values Added
Weaknesses		CWE-552
Metrics		cvssV3_1 `{'score': 7.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N'}` ssvc `{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}`

May 11, 2026 10:45 PM Title updated. First appearance in the feed. Weaknesses updated. Affected vendors updated View changes

Type	Values Removed	Values Added
Title		Path Handling Issue Allows Observation of Unprotected User Data
First Time appeared		Apple Apple macos
Weaknesses		CWE-200
Vendors & Products		Apple Apple macos

May 11, 2026 8:45 PM Description updated. Added references View changes

Type	Values Removed	Values Added
Description		A path handling issue was addressed with improved logic. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.7.7, macOS Sonoma 14.8.7, macOS Tahoe 26.5. An app may be able to observe unprotected user data.
References		https://support.apple.com/en-us/127115 https://support.apple.com/en-us/127116 https://support.apple.com/en-us/127117