CVE-2026-112451 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/26/2026
An out-of-bounds read was addressed with improved bounds checking. This issue is fixed in macOS Golden Gate 27.2, macOS Sequoia 15.8.2, macOS Tahoe 26.7.2. A remote attacker may be able to cause a denial-of-service or disclose process memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2026
The vulnerability described involves an out-of-bounds read condition within the operating system's core components, specifically addressed through enhanced bounds checking mechanisms in recent updates for macOS Golden Gate 27.2, macOS Sequoia 15.8.2, and macOS Tahoe 26.7.2. This type of flaw typically arises when a program reads data from a memory location that lies outside the intended buffer boundaries. In the context of modern operating systems, such errors often occur during the processing of external inputs or internal system calls where index validation is insufficient. The root cause is fundamentally categorized under CWE-125, which defines out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities as situations where software reads data past the end or before the beginning of a buffer. This misalignment allows the application to access memory regions that were not allocated for its use, potentially exposing sensitive information contained within adjacent memory blocks.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability is twofold, encompassing both confidentiality and availability risks. A remote attacker who can trigger the vulnerable code path may exploit the out-of-bounds read to disclose process memory contents. This disclosure could lead to the leakage of cryptographic keys, session tokens, or other sensitive data residing in the victim's address space, thereby compromising user privacy and system security. Furthermore, depending on how the operating system handles the invalid memory access, the exploitation can result in a denial-of-service condition. If the read operation causes an exception that is not gracefully handled by the kernel or application layer, it may lead to process termination or system instability, effectively disrupting service availability for legitimate users.
The technical remediation involves implementing stricter bounds checking logic within the affected subsystems. By validating input indices and buffer lengths before accessing memory locations, developers ensure that read operations remain confined within allocated boundaries. This defensive programming practice is critical in preventing information leakage and maintaining system stability. The inclusion of this fix across multiple macOS versions indicates a proactive approach to securing the platform against common exploitation techniques associated with memory corruption vulnerabilities.
In terms of industry standards and threat modeling, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers file and directory discovery, although in this specific context, it is more accurately mapped to data exfiltration via memory disclosure rather than direct file system access. It also relates to the broader category of CWE-200, where information exposure occurs due to improper handling of sensitive data. Security practitioners should prioritize patching these systems immediately to mitigate the risk of remote exploitation. Regular updates and adherence to secure coding standards are essential defenses against such memory safety issues, which remain a prevalent vector for attackers seeking to gain unauthorized access or disrupt services in complex software environments.