CVE-2026-43786

Published Sep 14, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 7.8 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
This issue was addressed with additional entitlement checks. This issue is fixed in macOS Golden Gate 27, macOS Sequoia 15.8, macOS Tahoe 26.7. An app may be able to gain root privileges.

Analysis

AI-generated

Technical impact

The flaw stems from missing entitlement checks that were intended to block access to privileged system interfaces. Because those checks are omitted, an application that would normally be denied can be executed with root permissions, allowing an attacker to run arbitrary code on the machine. This weakness is classified as CWE‑280 and represents a privilege‑escalation vulnerability.

Affected Systems

macOS installations prior to the patched releases are affected. Specifically, any build of macOS Golden Gate older than version 27, macOS Sequoia older than 15.8, or macOS Tahoe older than 26.7 contains the flaw.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 7.8 indicates high severity, while the EPSS score of less than 1 % signals a very low likelihood of exploitation. The vulnerability is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog, suggesting no known public exploits. Attackers would need to run a specially crafted application that takes advantage of the entitlement bypass; the description explicitly states that an app may gain root privileges. Because root access grants complete system control, the potential impact is severe even though current exploitation indicators remain limited.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Upgrade macOS to a patched release that includes the fix—macOS Golden Gate 27 or later, macOS Sequoia 15.8 or later, or macOS Tahoe 26.7 or later.
  • Restrict the execution of unsigned or unsandboxed applications by enabling the built‑in application sandbox, enforcing Gatekeeper policies, and approving only trusted software.
  • Enable comprehensive system logging for privilege‑escalation attempts and review logs regularly for suspicious root‑level activity.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on September 20, 2026 at 20:00 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Privilege Escalation via Entitlement Check Bypass in macOS
Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Privilege Escalation via Entitlement Check Bypass in macOS
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Apple
Apple macos
Vendors & Products Apple
Apple macos
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-280
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description This issue was addressed with additional entitlement checks. This issue is fixed in macOS Golden Gate 27, macOS Sequoia 15.8, macOS Tahoe 26.7. An app may be able to gain root privileges.
References
Weaknesses
  • CWE-280

    Improper Handling of Insufficient Permissions or Privileges

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
apple
Published
Updated
Oct 26, 2026, 8:37 PM
Reserved
May 1, 2026, 10:46 PM
Status
Analyzed
Published
Sep 14, 2026, 9:17 PM
Modified
Sep 15, 2026, 7:32 PM