CVE-2026-65339 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 08/18/2026
A logic issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in iOS 26.6.1 and iPadOS 26.6.1, macOS Tahoe 26.6.2. An app may be able to leak sensitive user information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2026
The disclosed vulnerability represents a logic error within the operating system's application sandboxing or data access control mechanisms, specifically affecting iOS and iPadOS versions prior to 26.6.1 as well as macOS Tahoe prior to version 26.6.2. This flaw stems from insufficient validation checks during the process of granting an application permission to read specific user data. In a properly secured environment, applications must undergo rigorous authorization verification before accessing sensitive information such as contacts, photos, location history, or personal documents. The identified logic issue indicates that these verification steps were either bypassed or executed incorrectly, allowing an app to retrieve data it was not explicitly authorized to access by the system's security policy.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20 Improper Input Validation and potentially CWE-862 Missing Authorization. The core failure lies in the application of access control rules where the system fails to enforce the principle of least privilege effectively. When an app requests data, the operating system is responsible for verifying that the requesting process has the necessary entitlements or user-granted permissions stored in its profile. In this instance, the logic governing these checks was flawed, resulting in a state where sensitive information could be exfiltrated without proper consent or authentication. This type of flaw often arises from race conditions, incorrect boolean logic in permission checking routines, or failure to validate context-specific constraints during data retrieval operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for end-users who rely on their devices for personal and professional communications. An attacker could craft a malicious application that exploits this logic error to silently access sensitive user information without triggering standard security warnings or requiring additional user interaction. This unauthorized access compromises the confidentiality of private data, potentially leading to identity theft, financial fraud, or blackmail if the leaked information includes highly personal details such as health records, financial statements, or intimate communications. The severity is further amplified by the widespread adoption of these operating systems across millions of devices, making this a high-impact issue for the general public and enterprise environments alike.
This vulnerability maps to several techniques within the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly T1530 Data from Local System which involves accessing data stored on local endpoints, and potentially T1217 Browser Credential Dumping if browser-related data is involved, though it primarily falls under unauthorized access patterns like T1005 Data from Local System. The exploitation path typically requires the user to install a malicious app or for an existing app with broad permissions to be manipulated into triggering the logic flaw. Once triggered, the attacker gains persistent or one-time access to restricted data stores that are normally isolated from untrusted processes.
Mitigation strategies focus primarily on applying the provided software updates immediately upon availability. Apple has addressed this issue in iOS 26.6.1, iPadOS 26.6.1, and macOS Tahoe 26.6.2 by implementing stricter checks within the access control logic to ensure that only authorized applications can retrieve sensitive user information. Organizations should enforce automated patch management policies to ensure all devices are updated promptly. Additionally, users should be educated on the importance of reviewing app permissions regularly and avoiding the installation of software from untrusted sources. Developers must also adhere to secure coding practices that emphasize rigorous input validation and explicit authorization checks before any data access operation is executed, ensuring that security controls cannot be bypassed through logical errors in code execution paths.