CVE-2026-43713 Overview
CVE-2026-43713 is a permissions weakness affecting Apple Safari, iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. The flaw allows a malicious website to leak sensitive data when a user visits it. Apple addressed the issue by applying additional restrictions to the affected component. The vulnerability is classified under [CWE-284: Improper Access Control].
Exploitation requires user interaction, specifically visiting an attacker-controlled or compromised website. No authentication is required, and the attack occurs over the network. Apple released fixes in Safari 26.5.2, iOS 26.5.2, iPadOS 26.5.2, and macOS Tahoe 26.5.2.
Critical Impact
A user visiting a crafted website may unknowingly leak sensitive data to a remote attacker without any additional authentication.
Affected Products
- Apple Safari (prior to 26.5.2)
- Apple iOS and iPadOS (prior to 26.5.2)
- Apple macOS Tahoe (prior to 26.5.2)
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-06-29 - CVE-2026-43713 published to NVD
- 2026-06-30 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-43713
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2026-43713 stems from an improper access control condition in Apple's web platform components. According to Apple's advisory, the issue was resolved by adding restrictions to permissions enforcement paths. The vulnerability enables information disclosure when a user browses to a website that triggers the flawed permissions logic.
The scope is unchanged, meaning the impact remains within the browser's security boundary. Confidentiality impact is high, while integrity and availability are not affected. This aligns with a data-leakage class of issue rather than code execution or tampering.
Because the flaw sits in shared web components across Safari, iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, any application relying on Apple's web rendering stack is potentially exposed. The EPSS score is 0.312% at the 23rd percentile, indicating low but non-zero exploitation likelihood.
Root Cause
The root cause is a permissions handling defect in Apple's browser and OS components. The prior implementation granted access broader than intended, allowing untrusted web content to reach sensitive data. Apple's fix introduces additional restrictions to enforce the intended trust boundary.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based and requires user interaction. An attacker hosts or injects content into a website that triggers the permissions weakness. When a victim visits the site using a vulnerable Safari build or WebKit-based component, sensitive data may be exposed to the attacker's controlled origin.
No verified public exploit code exists at the time of publication. The vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-43713
Indicators of Compromise
- Safari or WebKit-based application version strings below 26.5.2 on managed macOS, iOS, and iPadOS endpoints.
- Outbound HTTPS connections from browser processes to newly registered or low-reputation domains immediately following a redirect chain.
- Unusual cross-origin data flows or storage access events originating from browser child processes.
Detection Strategies
- Inventory endpoints using MDM or endpoint telemetry to identify systems running Safari, iOS, iPadOS, or macOS builds below 26.5.2.
- Correlate web proxy and DNS logs against threat intelligence feeds to identify visits to sites known to abuse browser permissions flaws.
- Monitor for anomalous browser child-process behavior, including unexpected file reads or credential store access following web navigation.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Ingest browser and OS telemetry into a centralized SIEM or data lake for continuous version and behavioral analysis.
- Track patch compliance rates across Apple fleets and alert when unpatched devices access sensitive corporate resources.
- Review network egress from user endpoints to detect exfiltration patterns consistent with browser-based data leakage.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-43713
Immediate Actions Required
- Update all Apple devices to Safari 26.5.2, iOS 26.5.2, iPadOS 26.5.2, or macOS Tahoe 26.5.2 as documented in Apple Support Article #127594, Apple Support Article #127595, and Apple Support Article #127685.
- Enforce automatic updates through MDM to close the patch window across managed fleets.
- Educate users to avoid clicking links from untrusted sources until patches are confirmed installed.
Patch Information
Apple has published fixes in Safari 26.5.2, iOS 26.5.2, iPadOS 26.5.2, and macOS Tahoe 26.5.2. Administrators should validate installation using MDM compliance reports or the system_profiler SPSoftwareDataType command on macOS. Refer to the vendor advisories for full version details and download links.
Workarounds
- Restrict use of Safari on unpatched systems and route users to a patched alternative browser where feasible.
- Apply web filtering and DNS-layer controls to block access to known malicious domains that may abuse the flaw.
- Limit sensitive workflows on unpatched devices until updates are deployed.
# Verify installed macOS version and Safari build
sw_vers
defaults read /Applications/Safari.app/Contents/Info CFBundleShortVersionString
# Trigger software update check on macOS
sudo softwareupdate --list
sudo softwareupdate --install --all --restart
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
