CVE-2026-86910

macOS Path Validation Issue Allowing Unauthorized File Access

Published Sep 14, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 5.5 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
A permissions issue was addressed with improved path 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

A permissions issue in macOS allows applications to read or write restricted files because path validation is insufficient. This flaw means that a malicious or compromised application can access data that should be protected by the operating‑system sandbox. The vulnerability involves improper input validation and access control.

Affected Systems

Apple macOS versions that are affected and that contain the flaw include macOS Golden Gate 27, macOS Sequoia 15.8, and macOS Tahoe 26.7.

Risk and Exploitability

The EPSS score is <1%, indicating a very low likelihood of exploitation. The CVSS score of 5.5 indicates moderate severity, but the flaw is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog, and it remains a local or application‑level vulnerability. The attack is likely to require the attacker to run or manipulate an application on the affected system, after which the application may browse to a disallowed path and read or modify protected files. The risk is elevated for systems that run applications from untrusted sources or that allow users to supply file paths without rigorous sanitization.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Apply the latest macOS updates that include the fixes for Golden Gate 27, Sequoia 15.8, and Tahoe 26.7 or later.
  • If immediate upgrading is not possible, restrict the application’s sandbox rights or move sensitive files to locations with stricter permissions.
  • Audit and enforce stricter path validation or input filtering in any custom applications that may construct file paths.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on September 21, 2026 at 00:26 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Title macOS Path Validation Issue Allowing Unauthorized File Access
Type Values Removed Values Added
Title macOS Permissions Flaw Allowing Access to Restricted Files via Improper Path Validation
Weaknesses CWE-284
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Type Values Removed Values Added
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 macOS Permissions Flaw Allowing Access to Restricted Files via Improper Path Validation
Weaknesses CWE-22
CWE-284
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Apple
Apple macos
Vendors & Products Apple
Apple macos
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description A permissions issue was addressed with improved path 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 8, 2026, 4:43 PM
Status
Analyzed
Published
Sep 14, 2026, 9:17 PM
Modified
Sep 18, 2026, 12:07 PM