CVE-2026-20602: macOS Denial-of-Service Vulnerability

CVE-2026-20602 Overview

CVE-2026-20602 is a denial-of-service vulnerability affecting multiple versions of Apple macOS. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of caches within the operating system. A malicious application running on an affected system may be able to exploit this flaw to cause a denial-of-service condition, potentially disrupting system availability and user productivity.

Critical Impact

A local application can exploit improper cache handling to cause denial-of-service on affected macOS systems, potentially rendering the system unresponsive.

Affected Products

• macOS Sequoia versions prior to 15.7.4
• macOS Tahoe versions prior to 26.3
• macOS Sonoma versions prior to 14.8.4

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-11 - CVE-2026-20602 published to NVD
• 2026-02-12 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-20602

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability exists within the cache handling mechanisms of macOS. When a malicious application interacts with the system's cache management functions in an unexpected manner, it can trigger a denial-of-service condition. The issue was resolved by Apple through improved handling of caches, suggesting that the original implementation lacked proper validation or resource management when processing cache operations.

The vulnerability requires local access, meaning an attacker would need to install and execute a malicious application on the target system. While this limits the attack surface compared to network-exploitable vulnerabilities, it still presents a significant risk in environments where users may inadvertently install untrusted applications.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2026-20602 lies in insufficient validation or improper resource management within macOS cache handling routines. The vulnerable code path allows an application to consume resources or trigger error conditions that lead to system instability. Apple addressed this by implementing improved cache handling logic that prevents malicious applications from exploiting the flawed behavior.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for this vulnerability is local, requiring a malicious application to be present on the target macOS system. The attack flow typically involves:

1. An attacker crafts a malicious application that targets the cache handling vulnerability
2. The victim installs or executes the malicious application (potentially disguised as legitimate software)
3. The application triggers the improper cache handling behavior
4. The system experiences a denial-of-service condition, potentially requiring a restart to recover

Since no verified proof-of-concept code is publicly available, readers should refer to Apple Support Document #126348, Apple Support Document #126349, and Apple Support Document #126350 for additional technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-20602

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected system crashes or unresponsiveness without apparent cause
• Unusual application behavior or processes consuming excessive system resources
• Presence of unknown or recently installed applications that were not authorized

Detection Strategies

• Monitor for abnormal cache-related system calls or kernel events
• Implement application whitelisting to prevent execution of unauthorized software
• Deploy endpoint detection solutions capable of identifying suspicious process behavior
• Review system logs for patterns indicating denial-of-service attempts

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable comprehensive system logging on macOS endpoints
• Monitor for repeated system restarts or crashes that may indicate exploitation attempts
• Implement alerting for unusual resource consumption patterns on critical systems

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-20602

Immediate Actions Required

• Update all affected macOS systems to the patched versions immediately
• Review installed applications and remove any untrusted or unknown software
• Implement application control policies to restrict unauthorized software installation
• Ensure SentinelOne agents are deployed and updated on all macOS endpoints

Patch Information

Apple has released security updates that address this vulnerability. Users and administrators should update to the following versions:

• macOS Sequoia 15.7.4 or later
• macOS Tahoe 26.3 or later
• macOS Sonoma 14.8.4 or later

For detailed patch information, refer to:

• Apple Support Document #126348
• Apple Support Document #126349
• Apple Support Document #126350

Workarounds

• Restrict application installation privileges to prevent users from installing untrusted software
• Implement strict application whitelisting policies using macOS configuration profiles
• Increase monitoring of macOS endpoints until patches can be applied

# Check current macOS version
sw_vers -productVersion

# List recent software updates
softwareupdate --history