CVE-2026-112670 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/26/2026
An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved input validation. This issue is fixed in macOS Golden Gate 27.2, macOS Sequoia 15.8.2, macOS Tahoe 26.7.2. Processing a maliciously crafted file may lead to heap corruption.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2026
The vulnerability described involves an out-of-bounds write condition that arises from insufficient validation of input data within the processing logic for specific file formats on Apple operating systems including macOS Golden Gate, Sequoia, and Tahoe. This type of flaw is classified under CWE-787 as a classic memory corruption issue where a program writes data to a memory location beyond the intended buffer boundary. The root cause typically stems from improper bounds checking during the parsing or decoding of maliciously crafted files, allowing an attacker to control the write address and potentially overwrite adjacent heap metadata or other critical structures in memory.
From a technical perspective, out-of-bounds writes are particularly dangerous because they can lead to arbitrary code execution if the overwritten data includes function pointers, object vtables, or return addresses on the stack. In this specific instance, processing a maliciously crafted file triggers the flawed validation logic, resulting in heap corruption. Heap corruption is significant as it destabilizes the memory allocator and can be exploited through sophisticated techniques such as heap spraying or use-after-free scenarios to gain control over program execution flow. The vulnerability likely exists within components responsible for handling multimedia files, documents, or other structured data inputs where parsing routines fail to verify that input lengths do not exceed allocated buffer sizes before performing write operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it allows a remote attacker who can trick a user into opening a malicious file to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. This could lead to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or installation of persistent malware. The attack vector generally requires social engineering elements such as phishing emails or compromised websites that host exploit kits designed to trigger this specific parsing flaw. Since it involves local processing of user-provided files, the threat actor must have some level of interaction with the victim's system, typically through file opening mechanisms in applications like Preview, QuickTime, or other media handlers integrated into macOS.
Apple has addressed this issue by implementing improved input validation checks within the affected components to ensure that all write operations remain strictly within allocated memory boundaries. This fix aligns with secure coding practices recommended by industry standards such as OWASP and NIST guidelines for preventing buffer overflow vulnerabilities. To mitigate risks associated with similar flaws, organizations should enforce strict application whitelisting policies and restrict user privileges where possible. Users are advised to keep their systems updated to the latest versions including macOS Golden Gate 27.2, Sequoia 15.8.2, and Tahoe 26.7.2 which contain these critical patches. Additionally employing endpoint detection and response solutions can help identify anomalous memory access patterns indicative of exploitation attempts for this class of vulnerabilities mapped to MITRE ATT&CK techniques related to initial access via malicious files and subsequent privilege escalation through code execution.