CVE-2026-112556 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/26/2026
A race condition was addressed with additional validation. This issue is fixed in macOS Golden Gate 27.2, macOS Sequoia 15.8.2, macOS Tahoe 26.7.2. An attacker may tamper with code-signed applications to execute arbitrary code in the application's context.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2026
A race condition vulnerability has been identified within the core system components of Apple operating systems, specifically affecting versions prior to macOS Golden Gate 27.2, macOS Sequoia 15.8.2, and macOS Tahoe 26.7.2. This flaw stems from a timing discrepancy in how the operating system validates code signatures during application execution or modification processes. In concurrent computing environments, race conditions occur when multiple threads or processes access shared data simultaneously without proper synchronization mechanisms. In this specific instance, the vulnerability allows an attacker to exploit the window of time between the initial validation of a code signature and its subsequent enforcement by the kernel. By carefully timing malicious actions against these system calls, an adversary can bypass integrity checks that are designed to prevent unauthorized modifications to software binaries.
The technical nature of this flaw aligns with CWE-362, which classifies race conditions involving concurrent access leading to unexpected behavior. The vulnerability enables a scenario where code-signed applications, which should be protected by Apple's Gatekeeper and notarization frameworks, can have their contents tampered with after the initial signature verification but before execution is fully locked down. This bypasses the security controls intended to ensure that only trusted, unmodified software runs on the system. The attacker leverages this race condition to inject arbitrary code into the application context, effectively subverting the trust model established by Apple's secure boot and runtime integrity mechanisms.
The operational impact of exploiting this vulnerability is severe, as it allows for privilege escalation within the user space and potentially higher depending on the privileges held by the target process. An attacker who successfully exploits this race condition can execute arbitrary code with the same permissions as the compromised application. This capability facilitates a wide range of malicious activities, including data exfiltration, installation of persistent backdoors, or further lateral movement within a networked environment. Since many system utilities and user-facing applications run with elevated privileges to perform necessary tasks, compromising these processes can lead to significant control over the affected device. The ability to tamper with code-signed binaries undermines the fundamental assumption that signed software is trustworthy, thereby eroding the security posture of the entire operating system ecosystem.
This vulnerability maps directly to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1055, which covers Process Injection and specifically relates to dynamic binary modification or injection techniques used by malware authors. It also intersects with T1610, a subset related to tool binaries that are signed but subsequently modified. The exploitation requires precise timing and likely involves sophisticated scripting or compiled code designed to trigger the race condition reliably across different hardware configurations. Without mitigation, any user on the system could potentially exploit this flaw if they have write access to the target application directory or can influence the execution path of a vulnerable process.
To mitigate this risk, users must update their systems immediately to macOS Golden Gate 27.2, macOS Sequoia 15.8.2, or macOS Tahoe 26.7.2, where Apple has implemented additional validation checks to close the timing window exploited by attackers. These updates likely introduce stricter synchronization primitives or atomic operations during signature verification and execution phases to prevent concurrent modification attacks. Administrators should ensure that automatic security updates are enabled to maintain protection against such low-level system vulnerabilities. Furthermore, organizations should enforce strict application control policies using tools like Apple's Managed Application Configuration profiles to restrict the installation of unsigned software, adding an additional layer of defense-in-depth even if a race condition were theoretically exploitable in other contexts. Regular auditing of installed applications and monitoring for unusual process behavior can also help detect potential exploitation attempts before significant damage occurs.