CVE-2026-84513 Overview
CVE-2026-84513 is an information disclosure vulnerability affecting multiple Apple operating systems. The flaw stems from insufficient redaction of private data written to log entries [CWE-532]. A malicious application installed on the device can read log content to determine the user's current geographic location. Apple addressed the issue by improving private data redaction across affected platforms.
The vulnerability requires local access and low privileges, with no user interaction needed for exploitation. Confidentiality of location data is impacted, while integrity and availability are not affected.
Critical Impact
A locally installed malicious application can bypass Apple's location privacy controls by reading unredacted location data from system log entries, defeating the standard permission-prompt model.
Affected Products
- Apple iOS and iPadOS (fixed in iOS 26.7/iPadOS 26.7 and iOS 27/iPadOS 27)
- Apple macOS Sequoia 15.8, macOS Tahoe 26.7, and macOS Golden Gate 27
- Apple tvOS 27, visionOS 27, and watchOS 27
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-09-14 - CVE-2026-84513 published to NVD
- 2026-09-18 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-84513
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2026-84513 is classified as Insertion of Sensitive Information into Log File [CWE-532]. Apple's unified logging subsystem is designed to mark private data with the %{private} format specifier so that sensitive values are redacted from log entries visible to unprivileged consumers. In the affected releases, location data written by system components was not consistently marked or redacted, leaving readable location values in log output accessible to local processes.
Because the leak occurs through logging, it bypasses the standard location authorization prompt. An application that has been denied Core Location access can still recover the user's position by reading log entries generated by other trusted system components.
Root Cause
The root cause is inadequate application of Apple's private-data redaction policy to log messages containing location information. Apple's fix, described in the vendor advisories as "improved private data redaction for log entries," ensures that these values are treated as private and replaced with <private> placeholders in log output outside of debugging contexts.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires local code execution on the device through a sandboxed or unsandboxed application. The attacker enumerates recent log entries through supported logging APIs, filters for messages produced by location-aware system components, and extracts coordinate or region data from unredacted fields. No elevation of privilege beyond a standard installed app is required, and the victim is not prompted.
No verified proof-of-concept code is publicly available for this issue. Refer to the Apple Security Advisory #149034 and companion advisories for platform-specific detail.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-84513
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected applications invoking log-query APIs or the log command-line tool on macOS shortly after installation.
- Processes reading from /var/db/diagnostics/ or persisting large volumes of decoded log data to application containers.
- Applications lacking Core Location entitlements that nonetheless transmit precise geographic coordinates to remote endpoints.
Detection Strategies
- Inventory installed applications against the minimum patched OS versions listed in the Apple advisories and flag devices running vulnerable builds.
- On macOS, monitor for non-administrative processes invoking log show, log stream, or the underlying OSLog framework with predicates targeting location subsystems.
- Correlate outbound network traffic containing latitude/longitude patterns with applications that were not granted NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription or NSLocationAlwaysUsageDescription.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable mobile device management (MDM) reporting for OS build versions and enforce minimum-version compliance policies.
- Review third-party applications requesting the com.apple.developer.diagnostics or private log-read entitlements.
- Track privacy-report entries on iOS and iPadOS for anomalous app activity related to sensors and system data.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-84513
Immediate Actions Required
- Update all Apple devices to iOS 26.7, iPadOS 26.7, iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS Sequoia 15.8, macOS Tahoe 26.7, macOS Golden Gate 27, tvOS 27, visionOS 27, or watchOS 27 as applicable.
- Audit installed applications and remove untrusted apps that request broad diagnostic or logging access.
- Enforce OS-version compliance through MDM and block enrollment of devices below the patched baseline.
Patch Information
Apple released coordinated fixes across its product line. Consult the vendor advisories for build numbers and download links: Apple Security Advisory #149034, #149035, #149036, #149037, #149038, #149041, #149042, and #149043.
Workarounds
- No vendor-supplied workaround exists; patching is the only supported remediation.
- As an interim risk reduction, restrict installation of unvetted applications through MDM app allowlisting.
- Deny Core Location access to non-essential applications to limit the scope of location data written by dependent system components.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
