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Use after free in Apple macOS lets apps gain root privileges

Priority LOW 35CWE-416Published · Updated

Key facts

Attack vector
Local
Privileges required
Low
User interaction
None
Attack complexity
Low
Impact type
Code execution
Confidentiality · integrity · availability
High · High · High
Fix status
Fixed

Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CISA ADP. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-416 and the CVSS impact.

Summary

Apple macOS versions before 15.8.2, before 26.7.2 and before 27.2 are affected. A use after free flaw (CWE-416) lets an app gain root privileges. A local app with low privileges can exploit it, and the source does not report any known exploitation.

Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-02

Description from the CNA

A use after free issue was addressed with improved memory management. This issue is fixed in macOS Golden Gate 27.2, macOS Sequoia 15.8.2, macOS Tahoe 26.7.2. An app may be able to gain root privileges.

Why it matters now

Exploitation None reported CISA SSVC · not in CISA KEV
EPSS 0.0018 7th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Fixed macOS (Apple): 15.8.2, 26.7.2, 27.2

SSVC decision points

CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3

Exploitation
None
Automatable
No
Technical impact
Total

The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.

Affected products

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed inStatusSource
ApplemacOSbefore 15.8.2; before 26.7.2; before 27.215.8.2, 26.7.2, 27.2Patch availableCNA
  • macOS VendorApple Affected before 15.8.2; before 26.7.2; before 27.2 Fixed in 15.8.2, 26.7.2, 27.2 Patch available CNA

CPE configurations NVD · 1

CPEVersionsRoleVendor
cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*15.0 to before 15.8.2; 26.0 to before 26.7.2; 27.0 to before 27.2VulnerableApple
  • cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 15.0 to before 15.8.2; 26.0 to before 26.7.2; 27.0 to before 27.2 Vulnerable ·Apple

Remediation

Update to macOS Sequoia 15.8.2, macOS Tahoe 26.7.2 or macOS Golden Gate 27.2, depending on the installed release line.

Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-02

  • Fix · CNA macOS (Apple) Fixed in 15.8.2, 26.7.2, 27.2

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, 27.2

    166 records Highest priority Priority MEDIUM 29 MEDIUM, 137 LOW

    Other records, highest priority first

    • TI-2026-80879 Apple iOS, macOS and visionOS flaw allows WebContent sandbox escapePriority MEDIUM 51
    • TI-2026-80811 Out-of-bounds write in Apple macOS allows system terminationPriority MEDIUM 50
    • TI-2026-80633 Buffer overflow in Apple macOS allows remote app crashesPriority MEDIUM 50

Timeline

  1. 2026-10-26 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-112548
  2. 2026-10-27 Alias added: GHSA-6qjm-phx6-m983
  3. 2026-11-02 CVSS score added · CISA ADP
  4. 2026-11-02 Weakness changed · CISA ADP
  5. 2026-11-02 CISA SSVC decision points changed
  6. 2026-11-03 CISA SSVC decision points changed

References

  • TI-2026-46583 Improper authentication in Apple macOS KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
  • 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
See all 3490 →

Sources