CVE-2026-43749 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 07/28/2026
A parsing issue in the handling of directory paths was addressed with improved path validation. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.7.8, macOS Sonoma 14.8.8, macOS Tahoe 26.6. An app may be able to gain root privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical path traversal flaw that could potentially allow unauthorized privilege escalation within Apple's operating systems. The parsing issue occurs during directory path handling operations where insufficient validation permits malformed or specially crafted paths to bypass security controls. Such vulnerabilities typically arise from inadequate input sanitization and improper path resolution mechanisms that fail to properly validate user-supplied or system-generated directory references. The flaw exists across multiple macOS versions including Sequoia 15.7.8, Sonoma 14.8.8, and Tahoe 26.6, indicating a widespread impact affecting the entire macOS ecosystem.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with common weakness enumerations such as CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-78 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in OS Command Execution. When an application processes directory paths without proper validation, it may inadvertently execute commands or access resources outside the intended scope. Attackers could exploit this by crafting malicious directory references that traverse parent directories or bypass access controls, potentially leading to unauthorized system access. The vulnerability specifically enables apps to gain root privileges, which represents a severe escalation from user-level to administrative access within the operating system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it provides attackers with a potential pathway to achieve complete system compromise through privilege escalation. Applications running with elevated privileges or those that process untrusted directory inputs become attack vectors for exploiting this weakness. The fix implemented across multiple macOS versions demonstrates Apple's recognition of the severity and widespread nature of the issue. Organizations must ensure all affected systems are updated immediately, as the vulnerability could be exploited by malware or malicious applications to gain persistent administrative access to user devices.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of the patched macOS versions across all affected systems and implementation of additional monitoring for suspicious path handling activities within applications. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify applications that may be processing directory paths without proper validation. The remediation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 Privilege Escalation through path manipulation and command execution. Organizations should also review their application security practices to ensure proper input validation and path sanitization techniques are implemented, particularly for any code that handles user-supplied or dynamic directory references. Regular security audits focusing on file system access controls and privilege boundaries will help prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.