CVE-2026-112481 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. An attacker on the local network may be able to cause unexpected process termination or disclose process memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2026
The vulnerability described constitutes an out-of-bounds read condition that was remediated through enhanced bounds checking mechanisms within the affected operating system components. This type of flaw typically arises when a software application reads data from a buffer at a location beyond its allocated boundaries, often due to insufficient validation of input parameters or index values before accessing memory regions. In this specific instance, the lack of rigorous boundary verification allowed for unauthorized access to memory locations that were not intended for reading operations. The fix implemented in macOS Golden Gate 27.2, macOS Sequoia 15.8.2, and macOS Tahoe 26.7.2 involves strengthening these validation checks to ensure that all memory accesses remain strictly within the limits of the designated buffer space, thereby preventing any attempt to read from invalid or unallocated memory addresses.
From a technical perspective, out-of-bounds reads are classified under CWE-125, which describes situations where software reads data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer. This vulnerability class is particularly dangerous because it can lead to information disclosure without necessarily modifying system state immediately. When an attacker successfully exploits this flaw by triggering a read operation outside the valid memory range, they may be able to retrieve sensitive data stored in adjacent memory locations. Depending on how the operating system handles such errors and whether specific protections like Address Space Layout Randomization or Data Execution Prevention are bypassed or misconfigured, the exploit could result in the leakage of process-specific information, including cryptographic keys, session tokens, or other confidential data residing in the victim process's address space.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for local network environments where an attacker might attempt to interact with vulnerable services running on macOS devices. The primary consequence identified is unexpected process termination, which aligns with CWE-400 regarding resource exhaustion or uncontrolled consumption of resources due to improper error handling. When the operating system detects an invalid memory access, it often terminates the offending process to prevent further corruption or security breaches, leading to a denial of service for legitimate users relying on that application. Furthermore, as noted in the advisory, there is a risk of disclosing process memory contents. This information leakage can provide attackers with valuable insights into the internal state of applications, potentially facilitating more sophisticated follow-up attacks such as privilege escalation or further exploitation of other vulnerabilities within the same system context.
In terms of threat modeling and industry frameworks, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1005, which refers to Data from Local System. Attackers leverage local access to gather information that can be used for lateral movement or deeper infiltration into a network infrastructure. The ability to cause process termination also relates to availability impacts covered under the CIA triad's Availability component, although the primary concern here remains confidentiality due to the memory disclosure aspect. Security professionals should recognize that while this is classified as an out-of-bounds read, its potential for both denial of service and information leakage makes it a high-priority issue requiring immediate attention in environments where local network trust boundaries are not strictly enforced or where sensitive processes run with elevated privileges.
To mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability, organizations must ensure that all macOS devices within their infrastructure are updated to at least one of the specified patched versions: macOS Golden Gate 27.2, macOS Sequoia 15.8.2, or macOS Tahoe 26.7.2. Automated patch management systems should be configured to prioritize these updates given the active exploitation potential and the severity of information disclosure risks. Additionally, implementing network segmentation can help limit the exposure of vulnerable services to only necessary subnets, reducing the attack surface available to local adversaries. Monitoring for unusual process terminations or memory access anomalies using endpoint detection and response tools can also aid in identifying attempted exploits before they result in significant data loss or service disruption. Regular security audits focusing on input validation practices within custom applications running on these platforms are recommended to prevent similar out-of-bounds conditions from being introduced through third-party software integrations.