CVE-2026-113942 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 or read kernel memory.
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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 prior to macOS Golden Gate 27.2. This type of flaw typically arises when a software routine accesses data at a memory address that lies outside the intended buffer boundary. In this instance, the issue was addressed by implementing improved bounds checking mechanisms, which ensure that any memory access is validated against predefined limits before execution proceeds. The absence of such checks previously allowed an application to trigger reads from kernel space or beyond allocated buffers, leading to unpredictable system behavior.
From a technical perspective, out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities are classified under CWE-125 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. This category encompasses scenarios where software reads data past the end or before the beginning of the intended buffer. The root cause often stems from insufficient validation of input parameters or array indices by the developer during the coding phase. When an application interacts with system-level APIs, it may inadvertently pass malformed arguments that bypass internal sanity checks. In macOS environments, such interactions can occur through various subsystems including graphics processing units, network stacks, or file system drivers, depending on which component contains the flaw.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant due to its potential for both denial of service and information disclosure. An attacker who successfully exploits this condition could cause unexpected system termination, effectively resulting in a local denial of service attack that disrupts user productivity and potentially affects other running processes sharing kernel resources. More critically, the ability to read kernel memory poses severe security risks. Kernel space contains sensitive data such as cryptographic keys, authentication tokens, and process control structures. Unauthorized access to this information can facilitate privilege escalation attacks or allow an attacker to gather intelligence necessary for further exploitation of the system.
This vulnerability aligns with several tactics in the MITRE ATT&CK framework. Specifically, it relates to Tactic TA0004 (Privilege Escalation) and Technique T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) if leveraged within a broader attack chain involving script execution or API abuse. Additionally, the act of reading kernel memory falls under Data from Local System (T1005), where adversaries seek to exfiltrate sensitive information directly from the host environment without network transmission initially. Understanding these mappings helps security teams prioritize remediation efforts based on potential adversary behaviors and impact scenarios.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve applying the software update provided by Apple in macOS Golden Gate 27.2, which patches the underlying code defect through enhanced bounds checking logic. Organizations should ensure that all endpoints are updated to this version or later to eliminate the vulnerability vector. In addition to patching, defense-in-depth measures such as enabling System Integrity Protection (SIP) can help restrict access to kernel memory even if an exploit is attempted. Monitoring for unusual system terminations or anomalous process behavior may also aid in detecting potential exploitation attempts before significant damage occurs. Regular security audits and static code analysis during development phases are recommended to prevent similar flaws from being introduced into future releases.