CVE-2026-86897 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 09/15/2026
This issue was addressed with additional entitlement checks. This issue is fixed in Safari 27, iOS 26.7 and iPadOS 26.7, iOS 27 and iPadOS 27, macOS Golden Gate 27, visionOS 27. An app may be able to access sensitive user data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2026
The vulnerability described involves a failure in the operating system's authorization mechanisms within Safari and associated Apple platforms including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS. Specifically, the flaw stems from insufficient entitlement checks during application execution or resource access requests. In modern mobile and desktop ecosystems like those developed by Apple, applications operate under strict sandboxing principles where they are granted only specific permissions necessary for their function. These permissions are defined through entitlements which act as a contract between the operating system kernel and the user space processes. When these checks are bypassed or inadequately enforced, an application can request access to resources it is not authorized to view, effectively breaking the isolation boundaries designed to protect user privacy and data integrity.
From a technical perspective, this represents a classic privilege escalation scenario where a lower-privileged process gains higher-level access rights than intended by the system architecture. The absence of rigorous validation before granting access allows malicious or compromised applications to query sensitive APIs that should be restricted. This could include accessing location history, contact lists, photos, messages, or other personally identifiable information stored on the device. The root cause lies in the logic governing how entitlements are verified at runtime. If the system fails to cross-reference the requesting application's bundle identifier and its declared capabilities against the actual permissions granted by the user or configured via mobile configuration profiles, it results in an unauthorized data exposure pathway. This type of flaw is often categorized under CWE-269 Improper Privilege Management because the software does not properly restrict actions based on security-relevant roles or privileges assigned to users and processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it directly compromises user confidentiality. An attacker who can exploit this condition could extract sensitive personal data without explicit user consent or knowledge. This undermines trust in the platform's security model and exposes individuals to potential identity theft, stalking, blackmail, or corporate espionage if used on enterprise devices. Furthermore, because Safari serves as both a web browser and an engine for many native apps via WebKit integration, the attack surface is broad. A malicious website could potentially leverage this flaw through cross-origin attacks or by tricking users into installing profile configurations that exploit these entitlement gaps, leading to persistent unauthorized access even after initial exploitation attempts are blocked.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve applying the provided software updates which address the underlying code logic responsible for these checks. Administrators and end-users must ensure that iOS 26.7, iPadOS 26.7, iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS Golden Gate 27, visionOS 27, and Safari 27 are installed to patch this specific flaw. Beyond immediate patching, defense-in-depth measures should be employed such as enabling App Tracking Transparency features which require explicit user permission for tracking activities across apps and websites. Additionally, reviewing app permissions regularly through the device settings can help identify any applications that have been granted excessive access rights due to previous vulnerabilities or misconfigurations. Security researchers and developers should also adhere to least privilege principles when designing new applications ensuring that every request for sensitive data is validated against current entitlements before execution proceeds.
This incident aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 Valid Accounts if the attacker uses legitimate credentials obtained through other means, or more accurately reflects T1530 Data from Local System which involves stealing data directly from local storage on compromised devices. It also relates to CWE-200 Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor highlighting the consequence of the flaw rather than just the mechanism. By addressing these entitlement verification gaps, Apple reinforces its commitment to maintaining robust security boundaries that protect user data against unauthorized access attempts originating from both malicious software and potentially deceptive web content.