Symlink handling flaw in Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS and visionOS
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- Required
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- None · High · None
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CISA ADP. Fix status from CNA.
Summary
Apple iOS and iPadOS before 26.7.2 and before 27, macOS before 15.8.2, before 26.7.2 and before 27, and visionOS before 27 are affected. The flaw is improper handling of symbolic links (CWE-59). A local app with no privileges can modify protected parts of the file system, and user interaction is required.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-03
Description from the CNA
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.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Partial
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | iOS and iPadOS | before 26.7.2; before 27 | 26.7.2, 27 | Patch available | CNA |
| Apple | macOS | before 15.8.2; before 26.7.2; before 27 | 15.8.2, 26.7.2, 27 | Patch available | CNA |
| Apple | visionOS | before 27 | 27 | Patch available | CNA |
- iOS and iPadOS VendorApple Affected before 26.7.2; before 27 Fixed in 26.7.2, 27 Patch available CNA
- macOS VendorApple Affected before 15.8.2; before 26.7.2; before 27 Fixed in 15.8.2, 26.7.2, 27 Patch available CNA
- visionOS VendorApple Affected before 27 Fixed in 27 Patch available CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 4
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:ipados:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 26.7.2 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 26.7.2 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 15.0 to before 15.8.2; 26.0 to before 26.7.2 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:visionos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 27.0 | Vulnerable | Apple |
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:ipados:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 26.7.2 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 26.7.2 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 15.0 to before 15.8.2; 26.0 to before 26.7.2 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:visionos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 27.0 Vulnerable ·Apple
Remediation
Update iOS and iPadOS to 26.7.2 or 27, macOS to 15.8.2, 26.7.2 or 27, and visionOS to 27.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-03
- Fix · CNA iOS and iPadOS (Apple) Fixed in 26.7.2, 27
- Fix · CNA macOS (Apple) Fixed in 15.8.2, 26.7.2, 27
- Fix · CNA visionOS (Apple) Fixed in 27
Fixed in the same release
Records fixed by the same vendor advisory or release, as the CNA lists them.
- Release ·
Apple macOS 15.8.2, 26.7.2, 27
20 records Highest priority Priority MEDIUM 1 MEDIUM, 19 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2026-80711 Out-of-bounds write in Apple macOS lets crafted files run codePriority MEDIUM 41
- TI-2026-80701 Use after free in Apple macOS allows sandbox escape to rootPriority LOW 39
- TI-2026-80688 Apple iOS, iPadOS and macOS flaw lets apps break out of sandboxPriority LOW 38
- Release ·
Apple iOS and iPadOS 26.7.2, 27
12 records Highest priority Priority MEDIUM 1 MEDIUM, 11 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2026-80588 Integer overflow in Apple iOS, iPadOS and macOS image processingPriority MEDIUM 40
- TI-2026-80688 Apple iOS, iPadOS and macOS flaw lets apps break out of sandboxPriority LOW 38
- TI-2026-80705 Apple iOS, macOS and visionOS buffer overflow from a crafted imagePriority LOW 33
Show 1 more group
- Release ·
Apple visionOS 27
10 records Highest priority Priority LOW 10 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2026-80705 Apple iOS, macOS and visionOS buffer overflow from a crafted imagePriority LOW 33
- TI-2026-80593 Memory flaw in Apple platforms lets apps corrupt kernel memoryPriority LOW 33
- TI-2026-80706 Race condition in Apple iOS, macOS and visionOS lets apps write kernel memoryPriority LOW 29
Timeline
- 2026-10-26 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-86966
- 2026-10-27 Alias added: GHSA-c4g2-5vpw-4v4w
- 2026-11-03 CVSS score added · CISA ADP
- 2026-11-03 Weakness changed · CISA ADP
- 2026-11-03 CISA SSVC decision points changed
References
More Apple Ipados vulnerabilities
- TI-2025-28008 Out-of-bounds write in Apple iOS and iPadOS KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 10.0
- TI-2025-22441 Apple iOS and iPadOS: An attacker with arbitrary read and write capability may be able to… KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2025-22440 Memory corruption in Apple iOS and iPadOS KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2025-17951 Out-of-bounds write in Apple Safari KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 10.0
- TI-2025-17847 Use after free in Apple iOS and iPadOS KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 10.0
- TI-2022-06854 Out-of-bounds write in Apple iOS and iPadOS KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
Sources
- CVE-2026-86966 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-86966 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-c4g2-5vpw-4v4w · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences