What is the CVSS score of CVE-2026-20688?

CVE-2026-20688 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.3 (Critical). CVSS vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. EPSS exploitation probability: 0.0%.

Which versions of macOS are affected by CVE-2026-20688?

CVE-2026-20688 is a critical sandbox escape vulnerability affecting Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS that enables local attackers to break out of application sandboxes and gain unauthorized…. A patch is available.

How to fix or mitigate CVE-2026-20688?

Within 24 hours: Inventory all Apple devices running iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS across the organization and identify affected versions. Within 7 days: Apply the vendor-released patch to all affected Apple devices as updates become available from Apple. Within 30 days: Complete patch deployment across 100% of Apple device inventory and verify patch installation through mobile device management (MDM) or endpoint management tools.

macOS CVE-2026-20688

EUVD-2026-15059 CRITICAL

Path Traversal (CWE-22)

2026-03-25 apple

GHSA-8x27-8fvr-pw94

Apple Path Traversal macOS iOS

9.3

CVSS 3.1 · NVD

Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY

9.3 CRITICAL

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

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

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

Attack Vector

Local

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

None

User Interaction

None

Scope

Changed

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

Lifecycle Timeline

Analysis Updated

Apr 16, 2026 - 05:49 EUVD-patch-fix

executive_summary

Re-analysis Queued

Apr 16, 2026 - 05:29 backfill_euvd_patch

patch_released

Patch available

Apr 16, 2026 - 05:29 EUVD

26.4,15.7.5,14.8.5

EUVD ID Assigned

Mar 25, 2026 - 01:00 euvd

EUVD-2026-15059

Analysis Generated

Mar 25, 2026 - 01:00 vuln.today

CVE Published

Mar 25, 2026 - 00:31 nvd

CRITICAL 9.3

DescriptionCVE.org

A path handling issue was addressed with improved validation. This issue is fixed in iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4, macOS Sequoia 15.7.5, macOS Sonoma 14.8.5, macOS Tahoe 26.4, visionOS 26.4. An app may be able to break out of its sandbox.

AnalysisAI

Sandbox escape vulnerability in Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS allows local attackers to break out of application sandboxes through improper path validation, potentially enabling unauthorized access to system resources and data. An attacker with local access could leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary operations outside application boundaries and bypass security restrictions. No patch is currently available for this critical vulnerability affecting multiple Apple platforms.

Technical ContextAI

The vulnerability exists in path handling logic across Apple's core operating system frameworks. Rather than a single library or protocol, this is a systemic issue affecting how iOS/iPadOS, macOS variants, and visionOS validate and process file paths within application sandbox constraints. The root cause falls under improper input validation (CWE category not specified but consistent with path traversal or sandbox escape patterns). The affected CPE strings (cpe:2.3:a:apple:ios_and_ipados:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*, cpe:2.3:a:apple:macos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*, cpe:2.3:a:apple:visionos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*) indicate the vulnerability spans multiple major OS families, suggesting the flaw is in shared foundational code or a common sandbox implementation mechanism. The fix involves enhanced validation logic to properly constrain path resolution within sandbox boundaries.

RemediationAI

Immediately upgrade to the patched versions: iOS and iPadOS 26.4 or later, macOS Sequoia 15.7.5 or later, macOS Sonoma 14.8.5 or later, macOS Tahoe 26.4 or later, and visionOS 26.4 or later. Consult Apple's security advisories at https://support.apple.com/en-us/126792 through https://support.apple.com/en-us/126799 for version-specific update instructions. Prioritize patching immediately given the sandbox escape nature of this vulnerability. Until devices can be updated, enforce app permission restrictions at the OS level by reviewing and revoking unnecessary file access permissions for installed applications, and avoid installing applications from untrusted sources. For enterprise deployments, use Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to enforce mandatory OS updates across managed device fleets.