CVE-2026-64762: Apple macOS Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

CVE-2026-64762 Overview

CVE-2026-64762 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability [CWE-125] affecting multiple versions of Apple macOS. The flaw allows a malicious application to read memory beyond an allocated buffer boundary, which can cause unexpected system termination. Apple addressed the issue with improved bounds checking in macOS Sequoia 15.7.8, macOS Sonoma 14.8.8, and macOS Tahoe 26.6.

The vulnerability carries a CVSS 3.1 score of 9.8 and is exploitable over a network attack vector without authentication or user interaction. The EPSS score is 0.327% (25.245 percentile), indicating a low predicted probability of exploitation within 30 days.

Critical Impact
An attacker leveraging this out-of-bounds read can trigger unexpected system termination, resulting in denial of service against affected macOS hosts.

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-2026-64762 published to NVD
2026-07-28 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-64762

Vulnerability Analysis

CVE-2026-64762 is an out-of-bounds read weakness [CWE-125] in Apple macOS. Out-of-bounds reads occur when software reads data past the end, or before the beginning, of an intended buffer. In this case, insufficient bounds checking within an affected macOS component allows a locally installed application to reference memory outside of allocated buffer boundaries.

Apple's advisories describe the impact as an application being able to cause unexpected system termination. This behavior is consistent with a kernel or system-level component dereferencing invalid memory, forcing a panic or process crash. Apple's remediation applies improved bounds checking to the affected code path.

While Apple documents the impact as system termination, out-of-bounds reads can also disclose adjacent memory contents when the read data is returned to the caller. Such disclosure can leak pointers useful for bypassing kernel address space layout randomization (KASLR).

Root Cause

The root cause is missing or insufficient boundary validation before a memory read operation in an affected macOS component. Apple has not disclosed the specific subsystem in its public advisories. The fix introduces additional bounds checks to ensure read operations remain within allocated buffer boundaries.

Attack Vector

According to Apple, an app must be able to run on the system to trigger the condition. The exploitation flow involves a malicious or compromised application invoking the vulnerable code path with crafted inputs that cause the affected component to read beyond a valid buffer, terminating the system.

See the vendor advisories for technical scope: Apple Security Update 128067, Apple Security Update 128071, and Apple Security Update 128072.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-64762

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected kernel panics or system reboots on macOS hosts running versions prior to 15.7.8, 14.8.8, or 26.6.
Panic logs under /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ referencing invalid memory access or bounds-related faults.
Recently installed or executed unsigned applications preceding system termination events.

Detection Strategies

Inventory macOS endpoints and flag those running builds earlier than 15.7.8, 14.8.8, or 26.6.
Correlate application execution telemetry with subsequent panic or reboot events to identify processes that triggered abnormal terminations.
Monitor for repeated crash reports originating from the same non-Apple binary across multiple hosts.

Monitoring Recommendations

Forward macOS ReportCrash and KernelEventAgent logs to a central logging platform for correlation.
Track patch compliance for macOS endpoints against the fixed versions 15.7.8, 14.8.8, and 26.6.
Alert on installation of unsigned or newly observed applications on hosts that have not yet been patched.

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-64762

Immediate Actions Required

Update affected macOS systems to Sequoia 15.7.8, Sonoma 14.8.8, or Tahoe 26.6.
Prioritize patching on hosts that run untrusted third-party applications or process attacker-controlled content.
Restrict installation and execution of unsigned applications through Gatekeeper policy enforcement.

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 guidance in Apple Security Update 128067, Apple Security Update 128071, and Apple Security Update 128072 for build details and deployment steps.

Workarounds

No vendor-supplied workaround exists; apply the security update as the primary mitigation.
Limit local execution of untrusted applications and enforce application allowlisting until patching is complete.
Apply the principle of least privilege for user accounts to reduce the impact of a triggered crash on shared systems.

bash

# Verify current macOS version and apply pending Apple software updates
sw_vers -productVersion
sudo softwareupdate --install --all --restart