CVE-2026-112545 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/26/2026
A parsing issue in the handling of directory paths was addressed with improved path validation. 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 • 10/27/2026
The vulnerability described involves a critical parsing flaw within the operating system's handling of directory paths, specifically related to how input strings are validated before being processed by privileged components. This type of issue typically stems from insufficient sanitization or normalization of file path inputs, allowing an attacker to manipulate the intended target location through techniques such as symbolic link manipulation, relative path traversal, or injection of special characters that alter the execution flow. When a system component fails to strictly enforce expected directory structures, it can inadvertently execute operations in unintended locations, potentially bypassing standard access controls and security boundaries designed to isolate user-level processes from kernel-level privileges.
From a technical perspective, this flaw represents a classic path traversal or improper input validation vulnerability where the application does not adequately verify that the resolved file path remains within the expected directory hierarchy before performing privileged actions. An attacker could craft specific malicious inputs containing sequences like double dots or other escape characters to redirect operations outside of restricted areas. If these operations involve writing, executing, or modifying system files located in directories with elevated permissions, such as /usr/bin or /etc, the consequence is a significant escalation of privilege. The successful exploitation allows an unprivileged application to execute code with root-level authority, effectively granting full control over the affected macOS device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for local privilege escalation. Once an attacker gains root privileges through this flaw, they can bypass all standard security mechanisms including sandboxing, Gatekeeper restrictions, and file system permissions. This level of access enables the installation of persistent malware, exfiltration of sensitive data such as credentials or personal information, modification of system configurations to maintain persistence, and further lateral movement within a network if the device is connected. The risk is particularly acute because it requires only local execution by an app, meaning that any application with sufficient permissions to trigger this parsing routine can potentially compromise the entire system integrity.
Industry standards classify such vulnerabilities under CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory and often map to MITRE ATT&CK techniques related to Privilege Escalation via Local Exploitation, specifically T1068 which covers exploitation for privilege escalation through software flaws or misconfigurations. The lack of strict path validation is a common root cause in many high-severity CVEs where system daemons or privileged binaries accept user-controlled input without rigorous checks against directory traversal patterns.
To mitigate this risk, it is imperative to apply the provided updates immediately. Apple has addressed these issues in macOS Golden Gate 27.2, macOS Sequoia 15.8.2, and macOS Tahoe 26.7.2 by implementing improved path validation logic that ensures all directory paths are normalized and verified against allowed prefixes before processing. Organizations should enforce automated patch management policies to ensure all endpoints receive these security updates promptly. Additionally, developers of applications interacting with system directories should adopt secure coding practices such as using canonicalized absolute paths for comparisons rather than raw input strings, validating inputs against allowlists of permitted characters, and leveraging built-in operating system APIs that handle path resolution safely without exposing underlying filesystem traversal mechanisms to user manipulation.