CVE-2026-64740: Apple iPadOS Path Traversal Vulnerability

CVE-2026-64740 Overview

CVE-2026-64740 is a path traversal vulnerability [CWE-22] affecting multiple Apple operating systems. The flaw stems from improper parsing of directory paths, allowing a malicious application to break out of its sandbox. Apple addressed the issue through improved path validation in iOS 26.6, iPadOS 26.6, macOS Sequoia 15.7.8, macOS Sonoma 14.8.8, macOS Tahoe 26.6, and tvOS 26.6.

The vulnerability requires local access through a malicious app. Successful exploitation allows an attacker to access resources outside the sandbox boundary, resulting in full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability across the affected system scope.

Critical Impact
A malicious app can escape the Apple sandbox and access resources belonging to other applications or the underlying operating system.

Affected Products

Apple iOS and iPadOS (versions prior to 26.6)
Apple macOS Sequoia (prior to 15.7.8), Sonoma (prior to 14.8.8), Tahoe (prior to 26.6)
Apple tvOS (prior to 26.6)

Discovery Timeline

2026-07-27 - CVE-2026-64740 published to NVD
2026-07-28 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-64740

Vulnerability Analysis

CVE-2026-64740 is a directory path parsing flaw classified under [CWE-22] (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory). Apple's sandbox restricts an app's file system access to a defined container. The parsing logic that resolved directory paths failed to validate them adequately, enabling references that resolve outside the sandbox container.

A local attacker who convinces a user to install a malicious app, or an attacker who already controls a sandboxed process, can leverage this flaw. Because the scope is marked as changed, exploitation can affect resources beyond the compromised sandbox, extending impact to system components and other applications.

Root Cause

The root cause is insufficient validation of directory path input during resolution. Path elements such as traversal sequences or specially crafted directory references were not normalized or filtered before being used to access file system resources. Apple's advisories describe the fix as "improved path validation," indicating the parser now rejects or canonicalizes paths that would resolve outside the app's sandbox container.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires local access. An attacker delivers a malicious application through side-loading, developer distribution, or an App Store submission that bypasses review. Once running, the app uses crafted directory path inputs against a vulnerable system component to read, write, or execute resources outside its sandbox. No user interaction beyond app execution is required, and no privileges are needed before the initial launch.

Apple has not released a proof-of-concept, and no public exploit is currently tracked. See the Apple Security Update Advisory for vendor-supplied technical context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-64740

Indicators of Compromise

Application processes accessing file paths outside their expected container directory, particularly paths containing traversal sequences such as ../ or symbolic links pointing outside the sandbox root.
Unexpected file reads or writes in /private/var/, /Library/, or other system directories originating from third-party application bundle identifiers.
Sandbox violation entries in system.log or unified logging that correlate with newly installed or updated applications.

Detection Strategies

Monitor Endpoint Security framework events (ES_EVENT_TYPE_NOTIFY_OPEN, ES_EVENT_TYPE_NOTIFY_CREATE) for sandboxed processes accessing non-container paths.
Baseline application file access patterns and alert on deviations, especially path traversal patterns in file operation arguments.
Correlate application installation events with subsequent access to sensitive directories using EDR telemetry.

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable and forward macOS unified logging with the sandbox subsystem to a centralized log platform for retrospective analysis.
Track OS version and patch level across the fleet to identify unpatched iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and tvOS devices.
Review MDM inventory for applications requesting entitlements inconsistent with their stated function.

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-64740

Immediate Actions Required

Update all Apple devices to iOS 26.6, iPadOS 26.6, macOS Sequoia 15.7.8, macOS Sonoma 14.8.8, macOS Tahoe 26.6, or tvOS 26.6 as applicable.
Enforce automatic OS updates through Mobile Device Management (MDM) policies across managed fleets.
Audit installed applications and remove those from untrusted developers or unverified sources.

Patch Information

Apple released fixes across five advisories addressing this vulnerability. Refer to the following resources for version-specific guidance: Apple Advisory 128066, Apple Advisory 128067, Apple Advisory 128069, Apple Advisory 128071, and Apple Advisory 128072.

Workarounds

No official workaround exists. Apply the vendor patch as the primary remediation.
Restrict application installation to the App Store and block side-loading through MDM configuration profiles where supported.
Enable Lockdown Mode on high-risk user devices to reduce the attack surface exposed to malicious applications.

bash

# Verify current macOS version against patched builds
sw_vers -productVersion

# Trigger software update check on macOS
sudo softwareupdate --list
sudo softwareupdate --install --all --restart