CVE-2026-112593 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/26/2026
An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved bounds checking. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.8.2, macOS Tahoe 26.7.2. An app may be able to cause unexpected system termination or write kernel memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2026
The vulnerability described constitutes a critical out-of-bounds write flaw within the core operating system components of Apple's macOS ecosystem, specifically affecting versions prior to macOS Sequoia 15.8.2 and macOS Tahoe 26.7.2. This type of memory corruption error occurs when software writes data beyond the boundaries of allocated memory buffers, a fundamental failure in input validation and bounds checking mechanisms. In the context of operating system kernels or privileged system services, such an oversight allows processes with lesser privileges to manipulate memory regions that are reserved for higher-privilege operations. The root cause lies in insufficient verification of array indices, buffer lengths, or pointer arithmetic before performing write operations, leading to a situation where data intended for one location overwrites adjacent memory structures. This is not merely a logical error but a severe security defect that compromises the integrity of the system's memory space.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability is twofold and potentially catastrophic depending on the attacker's capabilities. First, as noted in the advisory, it can cause unexpected system termination. When critical kernel data structures are corrupted by out-of-bounds writes, the operating system may detect inconsistencies that trigger a panic or crash to prevent further damage, resulting in a denial of service for all users and applications running on the affected device. Second, and more critically, the ability to write arbitrary values into kernel memory opens the door to privilege escalation attacks. An attacker could exploit this flaw to overwrite function pointers, return addresses, or security flags within the kernel space. By carefully crafting the payload, a malicious application can redirect execution flow to shellcode injected into user-space but mapped into kernel context, thereby gaining full control over the system with root-level privileges. This transforms a local code execution issue into a complete compromise of device confidentiality and integrity.
In terms of industry-standard classification, this vulnerability aligns closely with CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write, which describes writing to a memory location that is outside the bounds of the intended buffer or object. Furthermore, given its potential for privilege escalation through kernel exploitation, it maps directly to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation. Attackers leveraging this flaw would likely employ techniques associated with local privilege escalation chains, potentially combining memory corruption exploits with other system misconfigurations or vulnerabilities to achieve persistent access. The lack of robust bounds checking represents a failure in secure coding practices that are essential for maintaining the security boundary between user-space applications and kernel-space resources.
Mitigation strategies primarily rely on applying the vendor-provided software updates immediately upon availability. For organizations managing fleets of macOS devices, ensuring that automated patch management systems are configured to prioritize these specific version updates is critical. Beyond immediate remediation, developers should enforce strict memory safety protocols in any custom code interacting with system APIs, utilizing static analysis tools and fuzzing techniques to detect similar out-of-bounds conditions during the software development lifecycle. Additionally, enabling hardware-enforced security features such as Kernel Address Space Layout Randomization (KASLR) and Data Execution Prevention (DEP), while not preventing the initial write, can increase the difficulty of successful exploitation by making memory addresses unpredictable and non-executable regions inaccessible for code injection. Regular auditing of application permissions and sandboxing policies further reduces the attack surface available to potential exploiters seeking to leverage such kernel-level flaws.