CVE-2026-43772 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 07/28/2026
A path traversal issue was addressed with improved input 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 break out of its sandbox.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2026
This vulnerability represents a classic path traversal flaw that could potentially allow malicious applications to escape their designated sandboxed environment and access unauthorized system resources. The issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize file paths or directory references submitted by applications. When an application attempts to access files or directories through relative path references, the flawed validation logic may not adequately restrict these operations, enabling attackers to manipulate the path resolution process and navigate outside the intended boundaries of the application's sandbox.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability typically involves exploiting weaknesses in how file system operations are handled within the operating system's security framework. Applications that rely on user-supplied data for file operations may inadvertently create opportunities for attackers to craft malicious input sequences that bypass normal path validation checks. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration category CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, also known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access violations and can potentially enable more severe security breaches within macOS environments. When an application successfully breaks out of its sandbox, it could gain access to sensitive system files, user data, or other applications' resources that should remain isolated. This compromise undermines the fundamental security model of macOS sandboxing, which is designed to contain applications within defined boundaries and prevent them from accessing unauthorized resources. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of macOS including Sequoia 15.7.8, Sonoma 14.8.8, and Tahoe 26.6, indicating this represents a widespread issue that required coordinated patching across the operating system's major releases.
From an adversarial perspective, threat actors could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges or perform reconnaissance activities within compromised systems. The attack surface expands when considering that sandbox escape vulnerabilities can serve as initial access vectors for more sophisticated attacks, potentially enabling data exfiltration, persistence mechanisms, or further exploitation of other system weaknesses. Organizations and users should be particularly concerned about applications that process untrusted input or perform file operations with elevated privileges, as these represent high-value targets for exploitation.
The mitigation strategy implemented by Apple addresses this vulnerability through enhanced input validation mechanisms that properly restrict path traversal operations within sandboxed applications. This approach aligns with the principle of least privilege and defense in depth strategies recommended in cybersecurity frameworks such as those outlined in the ATT&CK matrix under techniques related to privilege escalation and sandbox escapes. The patched versions demonstrate Apple's commitment to maintaining secure operating system environments through proactive vulnerability remediation and continuous security improvements. System administrators should prioritize deploying these updates across all affected macOS installations to ensure comprehensive protection against potential exploitation attempts.