Apple iOS/iPadOS/macOS/visionOS up to 26.3 path traversal

| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 7.2 | $5k-$25k | 0.13 |
Summary
A vulnerability categorized as critical has been discovered in Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS and visionOS up to 26.3. The impacted element is an unknown function. The manipulation results in path traversal. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-20688. Attacking locally is a requirement. No exploit is available. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.
Details
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS and visionOS up to 26.3. Affected is an unknown functionality. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a path traversal vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-22. The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:
A path handling issue was addressed with improved validation. This issue is fixed in iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4, macOS Sequoia 15.7.5, macOS Sonoma 14.8.5, macOS Tahoe 26.4, visionOS 26.4. An app may be able to break out of its sandbox.
The advisory is shared for download at support.apple.com. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2026-20688 since 11/11/2025. The exploitability is told to be easy. The attack needs to be approached locally. There are neither technical details nor an exploit publicly available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $5k-$25k (estimation calculated on 03/29/2026). The MITRE ATT&CK project declares the attack technique as T1006.
Upgrading to version 26.4 eliminates this vulnerability.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Product
Type
Vendor
Name
Version
License
Website
- Vendor: https://www.apple.com/
CPE 2.3
CPE 2.2
CVSSv4
VulDB Vector: 🔒VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv3
VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.3VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.2
VulDB Base Score: 5.3
VulDB Temp Score: 5.1
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
ADP CISA Base Score: 9.3
ADP CISA Vector: 🔒
CVSSv2
| AV | AC | Au | C | I | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
| Vector | Complexity | Authentication | Confidentiality | Integrity | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
| Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
| Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
Exploiting
Class: Path traversalCWE: CWE-22
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒
Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No
Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒
| 0-Day | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
Threat Intelligence
Interest: 🔍Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍
Countermeasures
Recommended: UpgradeStatus: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔒
Upgrade: iOS/iPadOS/macOS/visionOS 26.4
Timeline
11/11/2025 CVE reserved03/25/2026 Advisory disclosed
03/25/2026 VulDB entry created
03/29/2026 VulDB entry last update
Sources
Vendor: apple.comAdvisory: support.apple.com
Status: Confirmed
CVE: CVE-2026-20688 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-20688
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-352920
scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20180712
Entry
Created: 03/25/2026 07:36Updated: 03/29/2026 17:13
Changes: 03/25/2026 07:36 (56), 03/29/2026 17:13 (12)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216:0FD:103
No comments yet. Languages: en.
Please log in to comment.