CVE-2026-65403: Apple iPadOS Information Disclosure Flaw

CVE-2026-65403 Overview

CVE-2026-65403 is an improper access control vulnerability [CWE-284] affecting multiple Apple operating systems. A locally installed application can leverage the flaw to access sensitive user data that should be protected by system access controls. Apple addressed the issue with improved checks across its device platforms.

The vulnerability requires local access and low privileges but no user interaction. Successful exploitation impacts confidentiality of user data on the affected device without altering system integrity or availability.

Critical Impact
A malicious or compromised app installed on an Apple device can read sensitive user data outside its intended sandbox, enabling privacy violations and downstream credential or personal-data theft.

Affected Products

Apple iOS and iPadOS (fixed in iOS 26.7 / iPadOS 26.7 and iOS 27 / iPadOS 27)
Apple macOS (fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.8, macOS Tahoe 26.7, macOS Golden Gate 27)
Apple visionOS 27 and watchOS 27

Discovery Timeline

2026-09-14 - CVE-2026-65403 published to NVD
2026-09-18 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-65403

Vulnerability Analysis

CVE-2026-65403 is an improper access control weakness spanning Apple's shared operating system codebase. Apple's advisory describes the outcome as "an app may be able to access sensitive user data," indicating that platform access checks did not adequately restrict data reachable by installed applications. The fix explicitly adds improved checks in the affected component.

Because the flaw appears across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, visionOS, and watchOS, the root defect resides in shared framework or system service code rather than a device-specific driver. The impact is limited to confidentiality — no integrity or availability effects are reported.

The EPSS probability is 0.203% as of 2026-09-16, and the CVE is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog. No public exploit or proof-of-concept has been published.

Root Cause

The underlying weakness is categorized as [CWE-284] Improper Access Control. A system-level check that governs application access to protected user data failed to enforce the intended restrictions. Apple's remediation language — "addressed with improved checks" — indicates missing or insufficient authorization validation before returning data to the calling application.

Attack Vector

Exploitation is local. An attacker must deliver and run an application on the target device, for example through the App Store, sideloading channels, enterprise provisioning, or a supply-chain compromise of a legitimate app. Once running, the app invokes the affected API path and receives sensitive user data that should have been withheld. No user interaction is required beyond installing and launching the malicious app.

No verified proof-of-concept code has been released. Refer to the Apple security advisories for platform-specific component details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-65403

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected applications requesting or accessing user data categories (Contacts, Photos, Location, Health) outside their stated function.
Installed apps from unverified developers, sideloaded IPAs, or profiles delivered through configuration payloads.
Devices running iOS, iPadOS, macOS, visionOS, or watchOS versions predating the fixed releases listed by Apple.

Detection Strategies

Inventory managed Apple endpoints via MDM and flag devices below the patched OS versions (iOS/iPadOS 26.7 or 27, macOS Sequoia 15.8, macOS Tahoe 26.7, macOS Golden Gate 27, visionOS 27, watchOS 27).
Review App Store and enterprise-distributed applications for unusual entitlements or privacy-manifest declarations touching sensitive user data.
Correlate MDM privacy telemetry with EDR process activity on macOS to identify apps accessing protected data stores unexpectedly.

Monitoring Recommendations

Track Apple security release notes and rescan device fleets when new advisories reference the shared component fixed in this CVE.
Monitor for policy violations against configured privacy preferences and Transparency, Consent, and Control (TCC) prompts on macOS.
Alert on newly installed applications on managed devices that request access to protected data classes shortly after installation.

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-65403

Immediate Actions Required

Update all affected Apple devices to a fixed OS release: iOS 26.7, iPadOS 26.7, iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS Golden Gate 27, macOS Sequoia 15.8, macOS Tahoe 26.7, visionOS 27, or watchOS 27.
Enforce automatic OS updates through MDM policy for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, visionOS, and watchOS.
Audit installed applications on managed devices and remove untrusted or unnecessary apps.

Patch Information

Apple has released patches for all affected platforms. Reference the vendor advisories: Apple Support Article #149034, #149035, #149037, #149038, #149041, #149042, and #149043.

Workarounds

Restrict application installation on managed devices to vetted App Store or enterprise-approved sources.
Revoke unnecessary privacy permissions granted to installed apps until devices are patched.
Apply MDM restriction profiles to block sideloading and unknown configuration profiles on iOS and iPadOS.

bash

# Example: query macOS version to identify unpatched endpoints
sw_vers -productVersion

# Example: list installed applications on macOS for review
system_profiler SPApplicationsDataType | grep -E "Location|Version"