Apple iOS/iPadOS/macOS/visionOS prior 26.7.2/27/15.8.2 Symlinks path traversal

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability labeled as very critical has been found in Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS and visionOS. The affected element is an unknown function of the component Symlinks. Executing a manipulation can lead to path traversal. This vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2026-86966. The attack can be launched remotely. No exploit exists. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS and visionOS and classified as very critical. This vulnerability affects an unknown part of the component Symlinks. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a path traversal vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is 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. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

This issue was addressed with improved handling of symlinks. This issue is fixed in iOS 26.7.2 and iPadOS 26.7.2, iOS 27 and iPadOS 27, macOS Golden Gate 27, macOS Sequoia 15.8.2, macOS Tahoe 26.7.2, visionOS 27. An app may be able to modify protected parts of the file system.

The advisory is available at support.apple.com. This vulnerability was named CVE-2026-86966 since 09/08/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is required for a successful exploitation. Successful exploitation requires user interaction by the victim. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not available. The structure of the vulnerability defines a possible price range of USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 10/26/2026). This vulnerability is assigned to T1006 by the MITRE ATT&CK project.

Upgrading to version 26.7.2, 27 or 15.8.2 eliminates this vulnerability.

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Productinfo

Type

• Smartphone Operating System

Vendor

• Apple

Name

• iOS
• iPadOS
• macOS
• visionOS

License

• commercial

Website

• Vendor: https://www.apple.com/

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