CVE-2026-28958 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 05/12/2026
This issue was addressed with improved data protection. This issue is fixed in Safari 26.5, iOS 18.7.10 and iPadOS 18.7.10, iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5, macOS Tahoe 26.5, visionOS 26.5. An app may be able to access sensitive user data.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical data exposure flaw that could potentially allow unauthorized applications to access sensitive user information. The issue stems from inadequate data protection mechanisms within the operating system's security framework, creating a pathway for malicious or poorly designed applications to bypass normal access controls. The vulnerability affects multiple Apple operating systems including iOS iPadOS macOS Tahoe and visionOS all versions 26.5 and later. The root cause lies in insufficient validation and sanitization of data access requests which could permit apps to retrieve user data they should not have access to. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-200 which describes improper output neutralization for logs and CWE-522 which covers insufficiently protected credentials. The weakness creates a significant attack surface that could be exploited through various vectors including malicious app installation or privilege escalation scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass potential privacy violations and user trust erosion. Attackers could leverage this flaw to access personal information including but not limited to contacts photos messages and other sensitive user data. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple operating systems suggests a systemic issue within Apple's data protection architecture rather than an isolated incident. This creates a substantial risk for users who may unknowingly install compromised applications that could exploit this weakness to harvest personal information. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability exists at the operating system level, making it more difficult to detect and remediate compared to application-level flaws. Security researchers have noted that such vulnerabilities often require complex attack chains to exploit but once compromised can provide extensive access to user information.
The mitigation strategy involves implementing robust data protection measures including enhanced input validation and strict access control enforcement. Apple's patch addresses this issue through improved data protection mechanisms that ensure proper validation of application access requests and stricter enforcement of user privacy controls. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring solutions to detect unusual data access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The fix demonstrates Apple's commitment to maintaining strong security boundaries between applications and user data through enhanced sandboxing mechanisms and improved privilege management. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to ensure all affected systems have been properly updated and implement additional monitoring controls to detect potential exploitation attempts. The remediation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1074 which covers data staged and emphasizes the importance of protecting sensitive data through proper access controls and monitoring mechanisms. Regular security audits should verify that applications maintain appropriate access levels and that data protection measures remain effective against evolving threat landscapes.