CVE-2026-65411 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 09/15/2026
A path handling issue was addressed with improved validation. This issue is fixed in iOS 26.7 and iPadOS 26.7, iOS 27 and iPadOS 27, visionOS 27. An app may be able to modify protected parts of the file system.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2026
The vulnerability described involves a critical flaw in path handling logic within Apple's operating systems, specifically affecting iOS, iPadOS, and visionOS versions prior to the specified updates. This issue stems from insufficient validation mechanisms when processing file paths, which allows an application to bypass intended security restrictions. In modern mobile operating environments, strict sandboxing is employed to isolate applications from one another and from core system components. However, this particular flaw undermines that isolation by permitting a malicious or compromised app to traverse beyond its designated directory boundaries. The root cause lies in the failure of the underlying file system APIs to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied path inputs before executing operations on them. This lack of rigorous input validation creates an opportunity for path traversal attacks, where special characters such as dot-dot-slash sequences are exploited to access directories that should remain inaccessible to third-party software.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability represents a classic instance of improper privilege management combined with insecure direct object references in the context of file system operations. When an application requests access to a specific resource, the operating system is responsible for verifying that the requested path resides within the app's allocated sandbox container. The flaw indicates that the validation routine either fails to recognize maliciously crafted paths or incorrectly interprets them as valid relative paths. Consequently, instead of restricting access to the local directory structure defined by the security policy, the system grants elevated permissions. This allows the executing code to read, write, or modify files located in protected areas of the file system that are typically reserved for system processes and other applications with higher integrity levels. The impact is significant because it erodes the fundamental trust model upon which mobile operating systems operate, potentially leading to data exfiltration, persistence mechanisms via unauthorized file creation, or even privilege escalation if combined with other vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data leakage. By modifying protected parts of the file system, an attacker could alter configuration files that control security settings, inject malicious code into shared libraries, or tamper with logs to cover their tracks. In a multi-tenant environment like iOS and iPadOS, where user privacy is paramount, such access compromises confidentiality by allowing unauthorized reading of sensitive personal data stored in other apps' containers. Furthermore, the ability to write to protected areas poses a severe integrity risk. An adversary could replace legitimate system binaries or scripts with malicious counterparts, effectively achieving persistence on the device without requiring kernel-level exploits. This capability also facilitates lateral movement within the device's file hierarchy, potentially exposing sensitive information from background services that rely on secure storage practices. The severity is compounded by the fact that many apps request permissions for standard directories, and if path validation is weak, these legitimate requests can be weaponized to reach restricted zones.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve applying the software updates provided by Apple in iOS 26.7, iPadOS 26.7, iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and visionOS 27. These patches address the root cause by implementing stricter validation routines for path handling operations. Developers should also review their code to ensure that any custom file system interactions adhere to strict input sanitization practices. This includes validating all user-supplied paths against a whitelist of allowed directories and rejecting any input containing relative navigation sequences or null bytes. Additionally, leveraging Apple's built-in security frameworks such as Keychain for sensitive data storage rather than the general file system can reduce exposure to this class of vulnerabilities. Security auditors should test applications using fuzzing techniques that specifically target path traversal scenarios to identify similar weaknesses in custom implementations before deployment.
This vulnerability aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) identifiers related to improper input validation and insecure direct object references, particularly CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory. It also maps to the MITRE ATT&CK framework under techniques involving file system discovery and persistence through unauthorized modification of system files. Understanding these mappings helps in categorizing the risk within broader threat models and ensures that remediation efforts address both the immediate technical flaw and the underlying architectural weaknesses. Organizations deploying affected devices must prioritize patching to maintain the integrity of their mobile infrastructure, as unpatched systems remain susceptible to exploitation by sophisticated adversaries seeking to compromise device confidentiality and availability.