CVE-2026-86902 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 09/15/2026
A parsing issue in the handling of directory paths was addressed with improved path validation. This issue is fixed in macOS Golden Gate 27, macOS Sonoma 14.8.8. 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 critical flaw in how operating system components parse and validate directory paths within the macOS environment. Specifically, this issue stems from improper input validation during the processing of file path arguments, which can lead to unintended behavior when applications attempt to interact with the filesystem. In secure software design, it is imperative that all user-supplied or application-generated inputs are rigorously sanitized before being processed by system-level functions. The lack of robust path normalization and boundary checking allows for scenarios where an attacker might manipulate directory traversal sequences or exploit ambiguous path resolutions to bypass intended access controls. This type of flaw typically falls under the category of CWE-22, which is defined as Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, commonly known as path traversal. By failing to strictly enforce that operations remain within designated safe directories, the system inadvertently exposes mechanisms for unauthorized data retrieval or modification.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to user privacy and data integrity on affected macOS systems, including versions prior to Golden Gate 27 and Sonoma 14.8.8. The primary impact is that a malicious application, potentially one installed by the user under legitimate guise, can leverage this parsing deficiency to access sensitive user data located outside its expected sandbox or permission boundaries. This could include personal documents, photos, credentials stored in keychains, or other confidential files residing in directories such as /Users/[username]/Documents or ~/Library/Application Support. The ability of an app to reach beyond its authorized scope undermines the fundamental security model of macOS, which relies on strict isolation between applications and user data. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, File and Directory Discovery, where adversaries seek to enumerate sensitive files for subsequent exfiltration or analysis.
The remediation strategy implemented by Apple involves enhancing the path validation logic within the affected system components. By improving how directory paths are parsed, the update ensures that any attempt to access resources outside of permitted scopes is explicitly blocked at a lower level in the stack. This hardening measure reinforces the principle of least privilege and prevents applications from exploiting ambiguous file resolution mechanisms. For administrators and users, it is essential to apply these updates promptly to mitigate the risk of data leakage. Additionally, organizations should enforce strict application distribution policies through tools like Gatekeeper or MDM solutions to ensure that only trusted software with appropriate entitlements can execute on managed devices. Regular auditing of installed applications and monitoring for unusual file access patterns can further reduce the attack surface associated with such vulnerabilities.