CVE-2026-112530 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/26/2026
A logic issue was addressed with improved checks. 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 gain root privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2026
The vulnerability described involves a critical logic flaw within the operating system's privilege escalation mechanisms, specifically affecting Apple's macOS ecosystem including versions such as Golden Gate 27.2, Sequoia 15.8.2, and Tahoe 26.7.2. This issue stems from insufficient validation or improper handling of access control checks during specific administrative operations. In a typical secure system architecture, privilege escalation requires rigorous verification that the requesting process has legitimate authorization to perform elevated actions. However, in this instance, the logic governing these checks contains a gap that allows an application to bypass standard permission boundaries. By exploiting this logical inconsistency, a malicious or compromised application can trick the system into granting it root-level privileges without proper authentication or user consent. This type of flaw is often categorized under CWE-269 Improper Privilege Management, which covers scenarios where software does not properly assign privileged functions based on actor identity, role, or other attributes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe because it effectively neutralizes the principle of least privilege that macOS employs to contain potential damage from compromised applications. When an app gains root access, it obtains unrestricted control over the entire system. This includes the ability to read, modify, or delete any file on the disk, install persistent backdoors, disable security features such as Gatekeeper or System Integrity Protection, and exfiltrate sensitive user data including credentials, financial information, and personal communications. An attacker leveraging this flaw could achieve full system compromise without needing physical access or prior high-level privileges, significantly lowering the barrier for exploitation compared to traditional zero-day exploits that require complex memory corruption techniques.
From a threat actor perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to gain higher-level permissions on compromised systems. The ability to escalate privileges is often the pivotal step in an attack chain that leads to lateral movement and data exfiltration. Because the flaw resides in core system logic rather than a third-party library or peripheral driver, it affects the fundamental trust model of the operating environment. Attackers could distribute malicious applications through various vectors such as phishing emails, compromised websites, or bundled software packages designed to trigger this specific code path when executed by an end user who may not realize they are initiating administrative actions.
Mitigation for this vulnerability relies primarily on timely patching and strict application control policies. Organizations must ensure that all macOS endpoints are updated to the latest versions containing these fixes immediately upon release. In environments where immediate patching is not feasible, implementing robust Application Control solutions can help prevent unauthorized or untrusted applications from executing in a manner that triggers the vulnerable code paths. Additionally, enforcing least-privilege user accounts for daily operations reduces the likelihood of an application successfully escalating privileges even if it attempts to do so, as many privilege escalation vectors require initial administrative context or specific system-level permissions that standard users do not possess. Regular auditing of installed applications and monitoring for unusual process behavior can also aid in detecting potential exploitation attempts before significant damage occurs.