CVE-2026-64694 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 07/28/2026
An integer overflow 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 cause unexpected system termination.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2026
This vulnerability represents a classic integer overflow condition that was remediated through enhanced input validation mechanisms. The flaw existed in Apple's operating system implementations across multiple versions including macOS Sequoia 15.7.8, macOS Sonoma 14.8.8, and macOS Tahoe 26.6, indicating a widespread issue affecting core system components. Integer overflows occur when a program attempts to store a value that exceeds the maximum limit of an integer data type, potentially causing unexpected behavior in system operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking during arithmetic operations or memory allocation processes within the operating system's kernel or system libraries. When malicious input or crafted parameters exceed the acceptable integer range, the system's internal counters or size calculations can wrap around to negative values or extremely large numbers, leading to unpredictable memory access patterns. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions that can result in buffer overflows or other memory corruption issues.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows an attacker to potentially cause unexpected system termination through carefully crafted inputs. This could manifest as application crashes, system instability, or even complete system hangs depending on where the overflow occurs within the call stack. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by its potential for exploitation in privilege escalation scenarios where an unprivileged user might be able to trigger system-wide failures.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers network denial of service attacks and system resource exhaustion. The integer overflow could be leveraged as part of broader attack chains targeting system stability and availability. Mitigation strategies should focus on comprehensive input validation at all system boundaries, implementing robust integer overflow detection mechanisms, and maintaining up-to-date system patches. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of the patched versions mentioned in the advisory, as well as implement monitoring for unusual system termination patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.
The remediation approach taken by Apple demonstrates proper vulnerability management through improved input validation rather than merely patching specific code locations. This method addresses the root cause by ensuring all integer operations are properly bounded and validated before processing. Security teams should conduct thorough impact assessments to determine if any custom applications or third-party software might be affected by similar patterns in their codebases, particularly those handling user-provided data through system calls or memory allocation functions.
The vulnerability's classification as a system stability issue rather than a direct security breach means that while it doesn't directly enable unauthorized access or data leakage, it creates opportunities for denial of service attacks and system compromise through instability exploitation. This makes it particularly concerning in enterprise environments where system uptime and reliability are critical factors. The patch implementation should be prioritized across all affected platforms to prevent potential exploitation by adversaries seeking to disrupt system operations or create conditions for more sophisticated attacks.