CVE-2026-64745 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 07/28/2026
This issue was addressed with additional restrictions on the lock screen. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.7.8, macOS Tahoe 26.6. A person with physical access to a locked device may be able to access contacts and photos.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2026
This vulnerability represents a significant security flaw in Apple's mobile operating systems that undermines the fundamental purpose of device lock screens as security barriers. The issue stems from insufficient restrictions implemented on the lock screen interface, which allows unauthorized individuals with physical possession of a locked device to bypass normal access controls and gain entry to sensitive personal data including contacts and photos. The vulnerability specifically exploits the gap between the device's locked state and its actual security enforcement mechanisms, creating an attack vector that does not require network connectivity or sophisticated exploitation techniques. This type of flaw directly violates the principle of least privilege and fails to maintain proper access control boundaries that should exist between authenticated and unauthenticated states within the operating system architecture.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with common weak points found in mobile security implementations where lock screen protections become ineffective due to inadequate enforcement of security policies. The flaw likely exists in how the system handles context switching between the locked state and unlocked state, potentially allowing direct memory access or API calls that bypass normal authentication checks. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability represents a critical failure in the operating system's security model where physical access alone should not provide sufficient means to circumvent data protection mechanisms. The issue demonstrates poor separation of concerns within the system architecture and highlights the importance of maintaining robust security boundaries even when users are temporarily away from their devices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privacy concerns to encompass potential identity theft, financial fraud, and corporate espionage scenarios. When personal contacts and photos become accessible through physical access alone, attackers can gather intelligence about social connections, locations, and personal habits that may be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. This type of vulnerability particularly affects high-value targets such as executives, government officials, or individuals in sensitive positions where the exposure of contact information could lead to targeted social engineering campaigns. The attack surface is widened because no network credentials or authentication tokens are required, making exploitation trivial and highly effective when combined with physical access opportunities.
Apple's response to this vulnerability involved implementing additional restrictions on lock screen functionality through updates released for macOS Sequoia 15.7.8 and macOS Tahoe 26.6. This fix demonstrates the importance of continuous security monitoring and rapid patch deployment in maintaining system integrity. The remediation approach aligns with defensive programming principles that emphasize defense in depth, ensuring that multiple layers of protection exist to prevent unauthorized access regardless of how an attacker might attempt to gain entry. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as a prime example of why comprehensive security testing is essential, particularly for authentication and authorization mechanisms that form the core of device security models. The fix likely involves strengthening access control checks during lock screen transitions and implementing stricter validation of user intent before granting access to protected data elements.
This vulnerability classification corresponds to CWE-284 Access Control Issues in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, specifically addressing insufficient access control mechanisms at the application level. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1550.001 Valid Accounts for credential access and privilege escalation through physical access methods. Organizations should prioritize this vulnerability for remediation as it represents a fundamental breakdown in device security that can be exploited by adversaries with minimal technical expertise and no network-based attack requirements. The fix serves as an important reminder of the critical need for regular security assessments and the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all system components to prevent such access control failures from compromising user data integrity and confidentiality.