CVE-2026-64695 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 07/28/2026
The issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.7.8, macOS Sonoma 14.8.8, macOS Tahoe 26.6. A remote user may be able to cause unexpected system termination or corrupt kernel memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical memory handling flaw that affects multiple macOS versions including Sequoia 15.7.8, Sonoma 14.8.8, and Tahoe 26.6. The issue stems from inadequate memory management practices within the kernel subsystem, creating potential vectors for arbitrary code execution or system instability. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to trigger unexpected system termination or cause kernel memory corruption through carefully crafted inputs that exploit memory handling mechanisms. From a cybersecurity perspective, this flaw aligns with common software weaknesses documented in the CWE database under categories related to memory safety and improper resource management. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring local access or authentication.
The technical implementation of this memory handling issue likely involves buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory corruption scenarios that occur during kernel operations. Attackers can potentially leverage these weaknesses to execute malicious code with kernel-level privileges, effectively bypassing standard security boundaries and user-space protections. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that adversaries can target systems without physical access, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where macOS systems may be exposed to untrusted networks or web services. This flaw directly impacts the fundamental security model of macOS by potentially allowing privilege escalation and persistent system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes to encompass potential data loss, unauthorized access, and complete system compromise. Organizations running affected macOS versions face significant risk as attackers can exploit these memory handling flaws to gain control over endpoints, exfiltrate sensitive information, or establish persistent backdoors. The kernel memory corruption aspect particularly threatens system stability, as corrupted kernel memory can lead to unpredictable behavior, system panics, or complete system crashes that may not be recoverable without manual intervention. Security teams must consider this vulnerability in their risk assessments and incident response planning due to its potential for widespread impact across macOS deployments.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to the latest supported macOS versions that contain the memory handling improvements. Organizations should implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, while also reviewing system logs for signs of kernel-level anomalies or unexpected reboots. The implementation of additional security controls such as kernel extension restrictions, memory protection mechanisms, and regular vulnerability assessments can help reduce the attack surface. Security professionals should monitor threat intelligence feeds for indicators of compromise related to this specific vulnerability and consider deploying endpoint detection and response solutions that can identify anomalous memory access patterns or kernel-level activities. According to ATT&CK framework categorization, this vulnerability would map to techniques involving privilege escalation and defense evasion through kernel manipulation, making it a significant concern for enterprise security postures.