CVE-2026-112525 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 • 10/27/2026
The vulnerability described constitutes a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the core operating system components of Apple's macOS ecosystem, specifically affecting versions prior to Golden Gate 27.2, Sequoia 15.8.2, and Tahoe 26.7.2. This type of memory safety error occurs when software attempts to access data at a memory address that lies outside the boundaries of the intended buffer or array structure. In this specific instance, the underlying technical flaw stems from insufficient validation checks during runtime operations where the system fails to verify whether an index or pointer remains within the allocated limits before performing a read operation. When such bounds checking is absent or improperly implemented, the application or kernel component may retrieve data from adjacent memory locations that were not intended for access. This behavior violates fundamental principles of secure coding and represents a classic instance of improper input validation leading to unauthorized information disclosure through memory leakage.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure. An attacker who can trigger this condition by crafting specific inputs or manipulating application state may cause unexpected system termination, effectively resulting in a denial-of-service scenario for local users and potentially affecting overall system stability if kernel-level resources are involved. More critically, because the flaw allows reading memory that should remain inaccessible to user-space applications, it poses a severe risk of information disclosure. The attacker could extract sensitive data residing in adjacent memory blocks, which may include cryptographic keys, session tokens, or other confidential information processed by privileged processes. This capability significantly lowers the barrier for further exploitation, as leaked kernel memory can provide insights into system layout and security mechanisms, facilitating subsequent attacks such as privilege escalation or bypassing of existing mitigations like Address Space Layout Randomization.
This vulnerability aligns closely with Common Weakness Enumeration identifier CWE-125, which defines out-of-bounds read errors where software reads past the end of a buffer. In terms of offensive cybersecurity frameworks, this flaw supports techniques categorized under ATT&CK ID T1083, specifically File and Directory Discovery or more broadly Information Gathering via memory inspection if kernel data is accessed. The ability to read arbitrary kernel memory also intersects with privilege escalation vectors where leaked information aids in defeating security controls. To mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability, it is imperative that system administrators ensure all affected macOS devices are updated immediately to the specified patched versions which implement improved bounds checking logic. For developers and security engineers reviewing similar codebases, enforcing strict array index validation before memory access operations and utilizing static analysis tools capable of detecting buffer overflows or underflows during the software development lifecycle can prevent recurrence of such issues. Additionally, enabling runtime protection mechanisms like Kernel Address Sanitization where available provides an additional layer of defense against exploitation attempts targeting these types of memory corruption flaws.