CVE-2026-20624 Overview
CVE-2026-20624 is an injection vulnerability affecting multiple versions of Apple macOS. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation that allows a malicious application to access sensitive user data. Apple has addressed this issue through improved validation mechanisms in the affected macOS versions.
Critical Impact
A malicious application exploiting this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to sensitive user data, potentially compromising user privacy and system security.
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-2026-20624 published to NVD
- 2026-02-12 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-20624
Vulnerability Analysis
This injection vulnerability exists due to improper validation of input data within macOS system components. When a malicious application provides specially crafted input, the inadequate validation allows the attacker to inject malicious content that the system processes in an unintended manner. This improper handling enables the application to bypass security boundaries and access sensitive user data that should otherwise be protected by the operating system's security mechanisms.
The vulnerability requires local access through a malicious application, meaning an attacker would need to convince a user to install or execute malicious software on their macOS system. Once exploited, the malicious app can leverage the injection flaw to read sensitive information stored on the system.
Root Cause
The root cause of CVE-2026-20624 is insufficient input validation in the affected macOS components. The system fails to properly sanitize or validate certain input before processing, allowing injection attacks to succeed. Apple has remediated this issue by implementing improved validation routines that properly handle potentially malicious input.
Attack Vector
The attack requires a malicious application to be executed on the target macOS system. The attacker must first deliver the malicious application to the victim through social engineering, phishing, or other means. Once the application is running with standard user privileges, it can exploit the injection vulnerability to access sensitive user data without requiring additional privileges or user interaction.
The exploitation path involves the malicious app providing crafted input to the vulnerable system component, which then processes the injection payload and inadvertently grants access to protected user data.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-20624
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual application behavior attempting to access protected user data directories
- Unexpected file system access patterns from recently installed applications
- System logs showing abnormal data access requests from non-system applications
- Applications attempting to read sensitive data outside their sandbox boundaries
Detection Strategies
- Monitor for applications accessing sensitive user data locations such as ~/Library, ~/Documents, and system keychain
- Implement endpoint detection rules for unusual inter-process communication patterns
- Deploy behavioral analysis to detect applications exhibiting data exfiltration behaviors
- Review application entitlements and permissions for anomalous access requests
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable macOS Unified Logging and monitor for suspicious application activity
- Configure alerts for applications accessing protected system resources
- Implement file integrity monitoring on sensitive user data directories
- Review and audit installed applications regularly for unauthorized or suspicious software
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-20624
Immediate Actions Required
- Update all affected macOS systems to the patched versions immediately
- Audit recently installed applications for legitimacy and remove any suspicious software
- Review system logs for evidence of exploitation attempts
- Implement application allowlisting to prevent execution of unauthorized applications
Patch Information
Apple has released security updates to address this vulnerability. Users should update to the following versions or later:
- macOS Sequoia: Update to version 15.7.4 or later
- macOS Tahoe: Update to version 26.3 or later
- macOS Sonoma: Update to version 14.8.4 or later
For detailed patch information, refer to the following Apple Security Advisories:
Workarounds
- Only install applications from trusted sources such as the Mac App Store or verified developers
- Enable Gatekeeper to prevent execution of unsigned or unverified applications
- Review and restrict application permissions through System Preferences > Security & Privacy
- Consider enabling additional security controls such as application sandboxing and TCC (Transparency, Consent, and Control) restrictions
# Verify current macOS version and check for available updates
sw_vers
softwareupdate --list
# Apply all available security updates
softwareupdate --install --all
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
