Apple iOS/iPadOS/watchOS prior 26.7/27 path traversal

| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 9.2 | $5k-$25k | 0.00 |
Summary
A vulnerability was found in Apple iOS, iPadOS and watchOS. It has been rated as very critical. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality. Performing a manipulation results in path traversal. This vulnerability is cataloged as CVE-2026-86886. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. There is no exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is advised.
Details
A vulnerability classified as very critical has been found in Apple iOS, iPadOS and watchOS. This affects an unknown function. 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. The summary by CVE is:
A path traversal issue was addressed with improved input validation. This issue is fixed in iOS 26.7 and iPadOS 26.7, iOS 27 and iPadOS 27, watchOS 27. An app may be able to modify protected system files.
It is possible to read the advisory at support.apple.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-86886 since 09/08/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. It demands that the victim is doing some kind of user interaction. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not publicly available. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 09/15/2026). The attack technique deployed by this issue is T1006 according to MITRE ATT&CK.
Upgrading to version 26.7 or 27 eliminates this vulnerability.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Product
Type
Vendor
Name
License
Website
- Vendor: https://www.apple.com/
CPE 2.3
CPE 2.2
CVSSv4
VulDB Vector: 🔒VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv3
VulDB Meta Base Score: 9.6VulDB Meta Temp Score: 9.2
VulDB Base Score: 9.6
VulDB Temp Score: 9.2
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
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: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes
Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
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/watchOS 26.7/27
Timeline
09/08/2026 CVE reserved09/15/2026 Advisory disclosed
09/15/2026 VulDB entry created
09/15/2026 VulDB entry last update
Sources
Vendor: apple.comAdvisory: support.apple.com
Status: Confirmed
CVE: CVE-2026-86886 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-86886
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-404019
scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20150917
Entry
Created: 09/15/2026 02:22Changes: 09/15/2026 02:22 (54)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
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