CVE-2026-84625: Apple Sandbox Information Disclosure Flaw

CVE-2026-84625 Overview

CVE-2026-84625 is a permissions vulnerability in Apple operating systems that allows an application to fingerprint the user. The flaw stems from insufficient sandbox restrictions, permitting apps to access data that uniquely identifies the device or user. Apple addressed the issue by adding stricter sandbox controls in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS Golden Gate 27, visionOS 27, and watchOS 27. The vulnerability is categorized under [CWE-200] (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor).

Critical Impact
An installed application can bypass sandbox boundaries to gather identifying characteristics about the user or device, enabling persistent tracking across sessions and services.

Affected Products

iOS and iPadOS versions prior to 27
macOS versions prior to Golden Gate 27
visionOS and watchOS versions prior to 27

Discovery Timeline

2026-09-14 - CVE-2026-84625 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
2026-09-16 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-84625

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the sandbox permissions model that governs what data an installed application can access. Insufficient restrictions allow an app to read attributes that combine to form a unique fingerprint of the device or user. Apple resolved the issue by tightening the sandbox profile to block the affected access paths across the affected operating systems.

Fingerprinting typically leverages combinations of hardware identifiers, configuration values, installed component enumeration, or system state queries. When these values remain stable across sessions, they act as a persistent identifier even without user consent. This undermines Apple's privacy model, which relies on sandbox isolation to prevent apps from correlating user activity.

Root Cause

The root cause is a permissions gap in the sandbox profile applied to third-party applications. Certain APIs or resources were reachable from within the sandbox despite exposing values that enable user identification. The fix introduces additional sandbox restrictions that deny access to the affected surfaces.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires a malicious or privacy-abusive app to be installed on the target device. Once running, the app queries the exposed resources to build a fingerprint, then transmits it to a remote server for tracking, correlation, or targeted attacks. No user interaction beyond installing and running the app is required.

No public proof-of-concept code has been released. Refer to the Apple advisories for authoritative technical details: Apple Support Document #149034, Apple Support Document #149035, Apple Support Document #149037, and Apple Support Document #149038.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-84625

Indicators of Compromise

Applications running on pre-27 Apple operating systems that issue repeated queries to hardware identifier or system configuration APIs.
Outbound network connections from apps that transmit device attribute bundles to unfamiliar telemetry or analytics endpoints.
Installed apps requesting entitlements or accessing resources inconsistent with their stated functionality.

Detection Strategies

Inventory Apple endpoints and flag devices still running iOS, iPadOS, macOS, visionOS, or watchOS versions earlier than 27.
Use mobile device management (MDM) telemetry to identify apps performing anomalous system-profiling activity.
Correlate app installations with subsequent egress traffic patterns that suggest fingerprint exfiltration.

Monitoring Recommendations

Monitor OS version compliance across the fleet and enforce upgrade policies for the affected Apple platforms.
Review app permissions and entitlements during procurement and periodic audits.
Track network flows from mobile devices to known tracking, analytics, and unfamiliar destinations.

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-84625

Immediate Actions Required

Update all affected Apple devices to iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS Golden Gate 27, visionOS 27, or watchOS 27.
Audit installed applications and remove any that request excessive access to system identifiers.
Enforce OS update policies through MDM to prevent devices from remaining on vulnerable versions.

Patch Information

Apple released patches in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS Golden Gate 27, visionOS 27, and watchOS 27. The fix adds sandbox restrictions that prevent apps from accessing the resources used for fingerprinting. Consult the referenced Apple Support documents for version-specific guidance and installation steps.

Workarounds

Restrict installation of untrusted third-party applications until devices are patched.
Limit app permissions to the minimum required for business function through MDM configuration profiles.
Segment mobile device network traffic and inspect outbound flows for suspicious telemetry.

bash

# Verify Apple OS version on macOS
sw_vers

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