CVE-2026-65339: Apple iPadOS Information Disclosure Vulnerability

CVE-2026-65339 Overview

CVE-2026-65339 is a logic flaw in Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS that allows a local application to leak sensitive user information. Apple addressed the issue with improved checks in iOS 26.6.1, iPadOS 26.6.1, and macOS Tahoe 26.6.2. The weakness maps to [CWE-693] (Protection Mechanism Failure) and requires local access with user interaction. Successful exploitation exposes confidential data without impacting integrity or availability.

Critical Impact
A malicious or compromised application installed on the device can bypass logic-based protection checks and read sensitive user information that should remain isolated.

Affected Products

Apple iOS (prior to 26.6.1)
Apple iPadOS (prior to 26.6.1)
Apple macOS Tahoe (prior to 26.6.2)

Discovery Timeline

2026-08-17 - CVE-2026-65339 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
2026-08-18 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-65339

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is a logic issue within Apple's operating systems that fails to properly validate protection boundaries around sensitive user data. An application running locally on the device can invoke affected code paths and receive information it is not authorized to access. The attack requires the target user to interact with the malicious app, but no elevated privileges beyond a standard app sandbox are needed to trigger the flaw. Apple's advisories describe the fix as an improvement to internal consistency checks that gate access to protected resources.

Root Cause

The root cause is an insufficient logic check in an internal Apple component. The affected code did not correctly enforce isolation between an app's execution context and privileged user data. This category of weakness ([CWE-693]) occurs when a protection mechanism exists but is applied inconsistently, allowing bypass through normal API calls rather than memory corruption. Apple has not published low-level implementation details of the affected component.

Attack Vector

An attacker must first deliver a malicious app to the victim's device through the App Store, sideloading, or a developer profile on macOS. Once installed and launched by the user, the app queries the vulnerable interface and receives sensitive information belonging to the user or other applications. There is no network attack vector, and no public proof-of-concept exploit is available. The vulnerability is not listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

No verified exploit code is publicly available. Refer to Apple Support Document #148281 and Apple Support Document #148282 for vendor guidance.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-65339

Indicators of Compromise

Applications on iOS, iPadOS, or macOS Tahoe that request unusual entitlements or access user data outside their declared scope.
Unexpected reads of sensitive containers, keychain items, or metadata by third-party apps prior to patch installation.
Devices running iOS/iPadOS versions earlier than 26.6.1 or macOS Tahoe earlier than 26.6.2.

Detection Strategies

Inventory Apple endpoints and flag devices below the patched OS build numbers using mobile device management (MDM) queries.
Review App Store Connect and enterprise distribution logs for recently installed apps that could abuse local privilege boundaries.
Correlate crash reports and unified logs on macOS for anomalous access attempts to protected user data domains.

Monitoring Recommendations

Enforce MDM compliance policies that require the patched OS versions before granting access to corporate resources.
Monitor endpoint telemetry for behavioral anomalies from newly installed applications, including access to Photos, Contacts, Location, and Keychain APIs.
Track Apple security advisories at Apple Support Document #148281 and Apple Support Document #148282 for follow-up guidance.

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-65339

Immediate Actions Required

Update iPhone and iPad devices to iOS 26.6.1 or iPadOS 26.6.1 through Settings > General > Software Update.
Update Mac systems running macOS Tahoe to version 26.6.2 through System Settings > General > Software Update.
Audit installed applications and remove any untrusted or unnecessary software from affected devices.
Use MDM to enforce automatic updates across managed Apple fleets.

Patch Information

Apple has released fixes in iOS 26.6.1, iPadOS 26.6.1, and macOS Tahoe 26.6.2. Full vendor guidance is available at Apple Support Document #148281 and Apple Support Document #148282. No workaround is provided by Apple beyond applying the security update.

Workarounds

Restrict installation of third-party applications through MDM configuration profiles until patches are deployed.
Limit sideloading and enterprise developer profiles on managed devices.
Educate users to avoid installing applications from unknown or untrusted sources.

bash

# Verify iOS/iPadOS build version on a managed device via MDM query
# Example: check that ProductVersion is 26.6.1 or later
sw_vers -productVersion   # macOS: expect 26.6.2 or later