What is the CVSS score of CVE-2026-20628?

CVE-2026-20628 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.1 (High). CVSS vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N. EPSS exploitation probability: 0.0%.

Which versions of Apple are affected by CVE-2026-20628?

A permissions vulnerability affecting Apple devices (iOS, macOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS) could allow unauthorized access to restricted system functions if exploited.

How to fix or mitigate CVE-2026-20628?

Within 24 hours: Identify and catalog all affected Apple devices in the organization and disable non-essential applications pending patch availability. Within 7 days: Communicate patch requirements to end-users and IT teams; establish a patch testing environment for validation. Within 30 days: Deploy available patches across all affected systems in phases, prioritizing devices handling sensitive data.

Apple CVE-2026-20628

HIGH

Improper Access Control (CWE-284)

2026-02-11 product-security@apple.com

Apple Authentication Bypass

7.1

CVSS 3.1 · NVD

Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY

7.1 HIGH

AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N

Attack Vector

Local

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

None

User Interaction

Required

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

None

Lifecycle Timeline

Analysis Generated

Mar 12, 2026 - 22:02 vuln.today

CVE Published

Feb 11, 2026 - 23:16 nvd

HIGH 7.1

DescriptionCVE.org

A permissions issue was addressed with additional restrictions. This issue is fixed in watchOS 26.3, tvOS 26.3, macOS Tahoe 26.3, macOS Sonoma 14.8.4, macOS Sequoia 15.7.4, iOS 18.7.5 and iPadOS 18.7.5, visionOS 26.3, iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3. An app may be able to break out of its sandbox.

AnalysisAI

Sandbox escape vulnerability in Apple's macOS, iOS, tvOS, and related platforms (CVE-2026-20628) permits malicious applications to break out of their sandbox restrictions through a permissions bypass. A local attacker with user interaction can achieve high-impact confidentiality and integrity violations by exploiting this weakness. Patches are available across multiple OS versions including macOS Tahoe 26.3, iOS 18.7.5, tvOS 26.3, and others.

Technical ContextAI

Classified as CWE-284 (Improper Access Control). Affects Ipados. A permissions issue was addressed with additional restrictions. This issue is fixed in watchOS 26.3, tvOS 26.3, macOS Tahoe 26.3, macOS Sonoma 14.8.4, macOS Sequoia 15.7.4, iOS 18.7.5 and iPadOS 18.7.5, visionOS 26.3, iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3. An app may be able to break out of its sandbox.