CVE-2026-113937 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/26/2026
An out-of-bounds read was addressed with improved bounds checking. This issue is fixed in macOS Golden Gate 27.2. An app may be able to cause unexpected system termination.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2026
The vulnerability described involves an out-of-bounds read condition within the operating system's core components, specifically affecting versions of macOS prior to Golden Gate 27.2. This type of flaw typically arises when a software routine attempts to access memory locations that lie outside the intended buffer or array boundaries. In this specific instance, the issue was addressed through improved bounds checking mechanisms, which ensure that any data retrieval operation validates its target address against valid limits before execution proceeds. Without such safeguards, an application can trigger undefined behavior by reading from unauthorized memory regions, potentially exposing sensitive kernel-level information or causing instability in system processes.
From a technical perspective, out-of-bounds reads are classified under CWE-125, which denotes Out-of-bounds Read. This category of vulnerabilities is particularly dangerous because it allows for the leakage of internal process states that were not intended to be accessible by user-space applications. When an app exploits this flaw, it can read memory contents belonging to other processes or system services, leading to information disclosure. The severity of such a vulnerability often depends on what data resides in the adjacent memory space, which could include cryptographic keys, authentication tokens, or internal pointers that dictate program flow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for both end-users and enterprise environments. As noted in the advisory, an app may be able to cause unexpected system termination. This indicates that while information disclosure is a primary risk, the instability caused by accessing invalid memory can also lead to denial-of-service conditions. System crashes disrupt productivity and can potentially mask other malicious activities if attackers use such instabilities as part of a broader attack chain involving privilege escalation or persistence mechanisms. The ability to crash system components undermines the reliability and integrity of the macOS environment, making it critical for administrators to ensure all devices are updated promptly.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve applying the official software update provided by Apple in macOS Golden Gate 27.2. This patch implements stricter validation logic within the affected subsystems, preventing applications from performing unauthorized memory reads. Organizations should prioritize deploying this update across their fleets of Macintosh computers to eliminate the attack surface associated with this flaw. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting and monitoring for unusual system termination events can help detect potential exploitation attempts in real-time before they cause widespread disruption.
In terms of threat intelligence frameworks, this vulnerability aligns with techniques found in the MITRE ATT&CK catalog related to Collection via Screen Capture or Data from Local System, depending on how the read data is utilized by an attacker. While the immediate fix addresses the memory safety issue, security teams should remain vigilant for any subsequent vulnerabilities that might exploit similar architectural weaknesses within the macOS kernel and user-space interactions. Regular patch management remains the most effective defense against such low-level system flaws, ensuring that known paths to information disclosure or service disruption are closed before they can be leveraged in targeted attacks.