CVE-2026-84541

Unprivileged File Access via Input Validation Flaw in macOS

Published Sep 14, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 5.5 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
An input validation issue was addressed with improved input validation. This issue is fixed in macOS Golden Gate 27, macOS Sequoia 15.8, macOS Tahoe 26.7. An application may be able to access restricted files.

Analysis

AI-generated

Technical impact

An input validation flaw in Apple macOS allows an unprivileged application to read restricted files, thereby compromising data confidentiality. The flaw stems from failure to properly sanitize or constrain user‑controlled data used to locate files, enabling a crafted request to reference protected resources. As a result, confidential or system‑level files may be disclosed to an application that should not ordinarily have access.

Affected Systems

The vulnerability affects Apple macOS releases prior to the inclusion of the fix: macOS Golden Gate before version 27, macOS Sequoia before 15.8, and macOS Tahoe before 26.7. Any macOS install newer than those releases has the patch applied and is considered mitigated.

Risk and Exploitability

The EPSS score of less than 1% indicates that exploitation of this vulnerability is currently unlikely to be observed. The CVSS score of 5.5 reflects moderate severity, indicating potential moderate impact on confidentiality without evidence of widespread exploits. Because the flaw can be triggered by supplying crafted input, the most probable attack vector is local, inferred from the requirement for an application to provide input. An attacker who can execute software on the target machine could read protected files, leading to confidentiality breaches. This vulnerability is not listed in CISA’s KEV catalog.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Update macOS to a release that includes the fix (macOS Golden Gate 27, Sequoia 15.8, Tahoe 26.7 or newer).
  • If an update cannot be applied immediately, isolate or sandbox the applications that could exploit the flaw to limit file access privileges.
  • Audit all applications that handle file paths to ensure they perform proper input validation and path sanitization; apply enforce stricter validation.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on September 20, 2026 at 21:10 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Unprivileged File Access via Input Validation Flaw in macOS
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-22
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N'}

ssvc

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

Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Input Validation Flaw Allowing Unprivileged Access to Restricted Files
Weaknesses CWE-20
Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Input Validation Flaw Allowing Unprivileged Access to Restricted Files
Weaknesses CWE-20
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Apple
Apple macos
Vendors & Products Apple
Apple macos
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description An input validation issue was addressed with improved input validation. This issue is fixed in macOS Golden Gate 27, macOS Sequoia 15.8, macOS Tahoe 26.7. An application may be able to access restricted files.
References
Weaknesses
  • CWE-22

    Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
apple
Published
Updated
Oct 26, 2026, 8:34 PM
Reserved
Sep 1, 2026, 9:13 PM
Status
Analyzed
Published
Sep 14, 2026, 9:17 PM
Modified
Sep 16, 2026, 2:47 PM