CVE-2026-86940 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/20/2026
This issue was addressed by removing the vulnerable code. This issue is fixed in macOS Golden Gate 27. An app may be able to disclose kernel memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2026
The vulnerability described involves a critical security flaw within the operating system's kernel that allows unauthorized applications to access sensitive kernel memory. Kernel space operates with the highest level of privilege on an operating system, granting direct access to hardware resources and core system functions. When this boundary is compromised, as in the case addressed by removing the vulnerable code in macOS Golden Gate 27, it creates a severe security risk where malicious or poorly coded applications can read data that should remain isolated from user-space processes. This type of flaw typically stems from improper memory management practices, such as missing bounds checks, use-after-free errors, or incorrect pointer dereferences within kernel modules. The removal of the specific code segment responsible for this behavior indicates a direct remediation strategy aimed at eliminating the attack vector entirely rather than patching it with additional validation logic.
From an operational impact perspective, the ability to disclose kernel memory can lead to catastrophic security failures. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially extract cryptographic keys, session tokens, passwords, and other sensitive data stored in kernel space. This information is often used for privilege escalation attacks, where a low-privileged user gains administrative rights by manipulating kernel structures or injecting malicious code into the running system. Furthermore, access to kernel memory can allow an attacker to disable security mechanisms such as sandboxing or integrity checks, effectively rendering the device's defense-in-depth strategies ineffective. The impact extends beyond immediate data theft, potentially compromising the long-term trustworthiness of the platform and exposing users to persistent threats that are difficult to detect due to their deep integration within the operating system core.
This vulnerability aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration standards such as CWE-120 Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input which often underlies memory disclosure issues, or more specifically CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write if the flaw involves writing beyond allocated boundaries leading to information leakage. In terms of adversarial tactics, this behavior corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter if used for further exploitation, but primarily relates to T1003 OS Credential Dumping when targeting stored credentials in memory. It also touches upon T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation as the ultimate goal of accessing kernel memory is often to gain higher system privileges. The mitigation strategy employed by Apple involves a code-level fix that removes the vulnerable functionality, which is a robust approach compared to partial patches because it eliminates the possibility of bypassing complex security checks through edge cases or race conditions.
To maintain security posture in environments where such vulnerabilities are prevalent, organizations should ensure timely application of operating system updates like macOS Golden Gate 27. Regular patch management cycles are essential to address kernel-level flaws that can compromise entire systems. Additionally, implementing strict code signing policies and runtime integrity monitoring can help detect unauthorized modifications or suspicious behavior originating from applications attempting to access restricted memory regions. Security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise related to credential dumping and privilege escalation attempts, as these may signal active exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in other components of the system ecosystem.