CVE-2026-112495 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 app may be able to cause unexpected system termination or read kernel memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2026
The vulnerability addressed involves an out-of-bounds read condition within the operating system core components, specifically resolved through enhanced bounds checking mechanisms in recent updates for macOS platforms including Golden Gate 27.2, Sequoia 15.8.2, and Tahoe 26.7.2. This type of flaw typically arises when a software routine accesses memory locations that lie outside the intended buffer boundaries, often due to insufficient validation of input parameters or loop counters before performing memory access operations. In the context of macOS kernel-level code, such errors can lead to severe security implications because the kernel operates with high privileges and has direct access to critical system resources.
From a technical perspective, an out-of-bounds read allows an application that triggers this flaw to potentially leak sensitive information stored in adjacent memory regions. Since the vulnerability resides within the kernel space, successful exploitation could enable an attacker to read arbitrary kernel memory contents. This capability is particularly dangerous as it may expose cryptographic keys, session tokens, or other confidential data structures used by system processes and security mechanisms. The presence of improved bounds checking indicates that previous implementations failed to adequately verify whether requested memory offsets were valid before execution, a common oversight in low-level systems programming where performance optimizations sometimes bypass rigorous safety checks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant due to its potential for both information disclosure and denial of service conditions. An unprivileged local application can exploit the flaw by crafting specific inputs that trigger the out-of-bounds access sequence within the kernel. If exploited successfully, the attacker gains the ability to read memory contents they should not have access to, which violates confidentiality requirements. Additionally, accessing invalid or protected memory pages often causes system instability, leading to unexpected termination of processes or a complete system crash known as a panic in macOS environments. This denial-of-service aspect disrupts availability for all users on the affected machine, making it a critical concern for enterprise and personal deployments alike.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities where software reads data past the end or before the beginning of the intended buffer. Furthermore, in terms of adversary tactics, this flaw facilitates techniques associated with ATT&CK ID T1083, specifically File and Directory Discovery, as well as potential credential harvesting if sensitive keys are exposed through memory leaks. It also relates to privilege escalation paths where kernel memory disclosure serves as a precursor step for further exploitation, such as bypassing security controls like System Integrity Protection (SIP).
Mitigation strategies primarily involve applying the provided software updates that include the corrected bounds checking logic. Administrators and users should ensure their macOS systems are updated to at least Golden Gate 27.2, Sequoia 15.8.2, or Tahoe 26.7.2 depending on the specific platform version in use. Beyond patching, defense-in-depth measures such as enabling kernel extension restrictions via SIP and utilizing runtime application protection mechanisms can help mitigate exploitation attempts by limiting the ability of untrusted code to interact with sensitive kernel structures. Regular security audits and static analysis tools that detect buffer boundary violations during development phases are also recommended to prevent similar issues in future software releases.