CVE-2026-43782 Overview
CVE-2026-43782 is an information disclosure vulnerability affecting Apple macOS. A malicious application installed on the local system can access sensitive user data that should be restricted by the operating system's privacy and access controls. Apple addressed the issue with improved checks in macOS Sequoia 15.7.8, macOS Sonoma 14.8.8, and macOS Tahoe 26.6.
The flaw is categorized under [CWE-200] (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor). Exploitation requires local access and user interaction, such as installing or running the malicious application. No known public exploitation or proof-of-concept code exists at the time of publication.
Critical Impact
A local application can bypass macOS access controls to read sensitive user data, exposing confidential files or personal information to unauthorized processes.
Affected Products
- Apple macOS Sequoia versions prior to 15.7.8
- Apple macOS Sonoma versions prior to 14.8.8
- Apple macOS Tahoe versions prior to 26.6
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-07-27 - CVE-2026-43782 published to NVD
- 2026-07-28 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-43782
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2026-43782 stems from insufficient validation checks within a macOS component that mediates access to sensitive user data. Apple's advisory states the issue was resolved through improved checks, indicating a missing or inadequate authorization or boundary validation in the affected code path.
The vulnerability allows an application running with standard privileges to reach data that should require additional entitlements or user consent. Because the flaw does not affect integrity or availability, exploitation is limited to reading protected data rather than modifying system state or executing arbitrary code.
Apple has not disclosed the specific component or framework affected. The single CVE identifier appearing across three separate Apple advisories suggests a shared code path present in Sequoia, Sonoma, and Tahoe branches.
Root Cause
The root cause is inadequate enforcement of access checks on a code path exposing sensitive user data. Apple's remediation added validation logic to ensure the caller possesses the required permissions before returning protected information. This is consistent with [CWE-200] weaknesses where privacy controls are bypassed due to missing authorization verification.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires a local attacker to deliver and execute a malicious application on the target macOS system. User interaction is required, typically through the launch of the malicious binary. Once running, the application invokes the vulnerable interface to retrieve sensitive user data without triggering standard consent prompts or entitlement checks. Remote exploitation is not possible.
No public exploit code or proof-of-concept has been released. The EPSS probability score is 0.121%, reflecting a low likelihood of exploitation activity in the near term.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-43782
Indicators of Compromise
- Unsigned or ad-hoc signed applications from unknown developers executing on macOS endpoints.
- Processes accessing files under protected directories such as ~/Library, ~/Documents, or Keychain paths without a corresponding TCC prompt event.
- Unexpected reads of user data by applications lacking Full Disk Access or relevant privacy entitlements.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor macOS Endpoint Security framework (ESF) events for ES_EVENT_TYPE_NOTIFY_OPEN and ES_EVENT_TYPE_NOTIFY_READDIR on privacy-sensitive paths.
- Correlate application launches with subsequent access to sensitive data stores, flagging processes that bypass Transparency, Consent, and Control (TCC) prompts.
- Baseline application entitlements and alert on binaries accessing protected user data outside their declared entitlement scope.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Ingest macOS Unified Log data covering com.apple.TCC and privacy subsystem events into a centralized SIEM for retrospective hunting.
- Track macOS version distribution across the fleet to identify endpoints still running unpatched builds prior to 15.7.8, 14.8.8, or 26.6.
- Alert on installation of applications from unnotarized sources, as these are the most likely delivery mechanism for exploit code.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-43782
Immediate Actions Required
- Update all macOS endpoints to macOS Sequoia 15.7.8, macOS Sonoma 14.8.8, or macOS Tahoe 26.6 as appropriate for the installed major version.
- Audit installed third-party applications and remove software from untrusted developers or unknown sources.
- Enforce Gatekeeper and notarization requirements to restrict execution of unsigned binaries.
Patch Information
Apple has released fixes in macOS Sequoia 15.7.8, macOS Sonoma 14.8.8, and macOS Tahoe 26.6. Refer to the vendor advisories for update details: Apple Security Advisory 128067, Apple Security Advisory 128071, and Apple Security Advisory 128072.
Workarounds
- Restrict local user privileges and prevent installation of unapproved applications through Mobile Device Management (MDM) policies.
- Enable and enforce System Integrity Protection (SIP) and Gatekeeper on all managed macOS devices.
- Limit which applications can request Full Disk Access or other privacy-sensitive entitlements using configuration profiles.
# Verify the installed macOS version meets the patched build
sw_vers -productVersion
# Trigger a check for available software updates
sudo softwareupdate --list
# Install all available Apple software updates
sudo softwareupdate --install --all --restart
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
