CVE-2026-112497 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/26/2026
This issue was addressed with improved permissions 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 break out of its sandbox.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2026
The vulnerability described involves a failure in the enforcement of access control mechanisms within the operating system's security architecture, specifically affecting the sandboxing subsystem on Apple platforms including macOS Golden Gate 27.2, macOS Sequoia 15.8.2, and macOS Tahoe 26.7.2. The core technical flaw lies in insufficient permissions checking during runtime operations where an application attempts to access resources or execute actions that are restricted by its assigned sandbox profile. In a properly functioning security model, the operating system acts as a gatekeeper, verifying whether the requesting process has explicit authorization for each specific resource interaction before granting access. However, due to this logical error in the permission validation logic, certain operations bypass these checks, allowing an application to interact with protected memory spaces, file systems, or inter-process communication channels that should remain isolated from its execution context.
This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-269, which denotes Improper Privilege Management, and more specifically aligns with CWE-250, Execution After Unauthorized Access, as it allows a process to perform actions beyond its designated security boundary. From an offensive perspective, this flaw facilitates privilege escalation by enabling code execution within the context of higher-privileged processes or access to sensitive system data that is normally shielded from untrusted applications. The ability to break out of the sandbox effectively neutralizes one of the primary defense-in-depth layers designed to contain malware and limit the blast radius of a compromised application. If an attacker can exploit this flaw, they are no longer confined to the limited permissions granted to the initial malicious payload, thereby gaining broader control over the affected system.
The operational impact of such a sandbox escape is severe, as it undermines the fundamental trust model upon which modern mobile and desktop operating systems are built. An adversary leveraging this vulnerability could potentially exfiltrate sensitive user data stored in protected directories, install persistent backdoors that survive application uninstallation, or pivot to attack other services running on the same host with elevated privileges. This capability transforms a contained web browser exploit or a malicious document viewer into a full system compromise scenario. The risk is particularly acute for users who frequently download and execute software from unverified sources, as these applications are typically granted minimal permissions by default, making them ideal vectors for initial access that can be escalated through this specific flaw.
Mitigation strategies primarily rely on the timely application of vendor-provided updates, which address the underlying logic errors in the permission checking routines. Administrators and end-users must ensure their systems are updated to macOS Golden Gate 27.2, macOS Sequoia 15.8.2, or macOS Tahoe 26.7.2 as soon as possible to patch this specific weakness. Beyond software updates, defense-in-depth measures such as enabling strict application sandboxing policies via configuration profiles and utilizing endpoint detection and response tools that monitor for anomalous process behavior can provide additional layers of protection. Security teams should also audit applications running on their networks to ensure they adhere to the principle of least privilege, minimizing the potential impact if a similar vulnerability is discovered in other software components.