CVE-2026-64705: Apple macOS Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

CVE-2026-64705 Overview

CVE-2026-64705 is a buffer overflow vulnerability [CWE-120] in Apple macOS. A local application can trigger the flaw to cause unexpected system termination or write to kernel memory. Apple addressed the issue with improved bounds checking in macOS Sequoia 15.7.7 and macOS Sonoma 14.8.7.

The vulnerability requires local access and low privileges, with no user interaction. Exploitation impacts system availability and can corrupt kernel memory, which may serve as a primitive for further privilege escalation on affected systems.

Critical Impact
A local app can write kernel memory or force unexpected system termination, providing a potential building block for kernel-level compromise on unpatched macOS systems.

Affected Products

Apple macOS Sequoia versions prior to 15.7.7
Apple macOS Sonoma versions prior to 14.8.7
Systems running vulnerable macOS builds with local user access

Discovery Timeline

2026-08-25 - CVE-2026-64705 published to NVD
2026-08-27 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-64705

Vulnerability Analysis

CVE-2026-64705 is a classic buffer overflow [CWE-120] affecting a macOS component reachable from user-space applications. Apple's advisory states an app may cause unexpected system termination or write kernel memory, indicating the overflow occurs in code executing within a kernel context or a privileged system service.

The fix applies improved bounds checking, which suggests the original code performed a copy or write operation without verifying the destination buffer size against the input length. When exploited, the overflow corrupts adjacent memory. In a kernel context, this typically produces a panic or, with careful control, arbitrary kernel memory writes.

Exploit availability is low. No public proof-of-concept, exploit code, or CISA KEV listing exists at publication.

Root Cause

The root cause is insufficient input validation before a memory write operation. The vulnerable routine accepted attacker-influenced length or offset values without confirming they fit within the destination buffer. Apple's remediation adds bounds checks to prevent writes beyond the allocated region.

Attack Vector

An attacker must first execute code locally on the target macOS system with standard user privileges. The malicious application then invokes the affected API or system service with crafted parameters that trigger the overflow. Successful exploitation produces either a denial-of-service through kernel panic or a kernel memory write primitive. Remote exploitation is not possible without a separate initial access vector.

Apple has not published component-specific technical details. See the Apple Support Article #127116 and Apple Support Article #127117 for vendor-confirmed information.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-64705

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected kernel panics or system reboots correlated with execution of unsigned or newly installed applications
Crash reports in /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ referencing kernel components with memory corruption signatures
Unusual sysdiagnose output showing repeated faults from the same user-space process

Detection Strategies

Monitor endpoint telemetry for processes triggering repeated kernel panics or driver faults on macOS hosts
Inventory macOS build versions across the fleet and flag systems running versions earlier than 15.7.7 (Sequoia) or 14.8.7 (Sonoma)
Alert on execution of unsigned binaries that immediately precede system instability events

Monitoring Recommendations

Forward macOS unified logs and crash reports to a centralized log platform for correlation
Track installation of new applications and match against subsequent kernel fault events
Establish a baseline of expected system termination events to surface anomalies faster

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-64705

Immediate Actions Required

Update all macOS Sequoia hosts to version 15.7.7 or later
Update all macOS Sonoma hosts to version 14.8.7 or later
Restrict installation of untrusted third-party applications on managed endpoints
Enforce standard-user accounts and apply application allowlisting through MDM policies

Patch Information

Apple released patches in macOS Sequoia 15.7.7 and macOS Sonoma 14.8.7. Deployment details are documented in the Apple Support Article #127116 and Apple Support Article #127117. Enterprise administrators should push these updates through MDM solutions such as Jamf, Kandji, or Apple Business Manager.

Workarounds

No vendor-supplied workaround exists; patching is the only reliable remediation
Reduce local attack surface by removing unnecessary user accounts and enforcing least privilege
Enable Gatekeeper, System Integrity Protection (SIP), and notarization enforcement to limit untrusted code execution

bash

# Verify installed macOS version
sw_vers -productVersion

# Trigger software update check
sudo softwareupdate --list

# Install all available updates and restart
sudo softwareupdate --install --all --restart