EUVD-2026-15067
GHSA-9rf8-v52w-cq3h
Vulnerability Assessment
| Weakness |
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A01:2025 - Broken Access Control
ASVS 5.0
V13 - Configuration Permission assignment review
|
| Impact | The risk profile is mixed. On the positive side, the attack requires root privileges, which dramatically limits the attack surface—an attacker must already have compromised the system at the highest privilege level. No CVSS vector is provided, EPSS data is unavailable, and the CVE does not appear in the CISA KEV catalog, suggesting this is not actively exploited in the wild. However, within the SSVC framework, the technical impact is high (deletion of protected system files could render the OS unbootable or unstable), and exploitation is likely automatable once root access is obtained. For organizations with strong root access controls and privilege separation, this is a moderate priority; for systems where root compromise is plausible (development machines, legacy systems, multi-user environments), it warrants prompt patching. |
| Exploit ScenarioDerived | A malicious insider or attacker who has already gained root access (e.g., through credential theft, sudo exploitation, or physical access on an unlocked system) exploits the state management flaw to delete critical macOS system files such as kernel extensions, boot components, or security policies. This could disable endpoint protection, break system functionality, or persist malware by replacing legitimate system files. The attack succeeds because the system fails to properly validate the authorization state when checking file protection rules, allowing root to bypass built-in safeguards. |
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Alert meAnalysisAIv1 – Mar 25, 2026
Protected system files on macOS (Sequoia 15.7.5, Sonoma 14.8.5, and Tahoe 26.4) can be deleted by attackers with root privileges due to improper state management. This integrity-impacting vulnerability affects administrators and privileged users who could leverage elevated access to remove critical system components. No patch is currently available for this medium-severity issue.
Earlier versions of this analysis (1)
A privilege escalation vulnerability in macOS allows an attacker with existing root privileges to delete protected system files through improper state management. The vulnerability affects macOS Sequoia (before 15.7.5), macOS Sonoma (before 14.8.5), and macOS Tahoe (before 26.4). While no CVSS score or EPSS data is available and the vulnerability does not appear on the KEV catalog, the requirement for root privileges significantly limits real-world exploitability, though it poses a serious risk in multi-tenant or compromised environments where root access has already been obtained.
RemediationAI
Immediately apply the latest security updates: upgrade macOS Sequoia to 15.7.5 or later, macOS Sonoma to 14.8.5 or later, or macOS Tahoe to 26.4 or later via System Preferences > General > Software Update. Organizations should enforce mandatory security update deployment across all macOS systems and verify completion before the next threat window. As a compensating control, restrict root-level access through sudo policies, enforce multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts, and monitor system logs for unauthorized file deletion attempts. Consult Apple's official security advisories at the provided links for platform-specific patching guidance.
Affected VersionsENISA
Affected Packages
Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)
Affects your stack
Affects 1 package in euvd
Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.
Technical ContextAI · show details
The vulnerability stems from inadequate state management in macOS kernel or system file protection mechanisms (likely involving System Integrity Protection or similar file access controls). The root cause falls within improper authorization and access control handling, affecting the macOS operating system across multiple versions as identified by CPE specification cpe:2.3:a:apple:macos. The flaw allows bypass of file deletion protections that are intended to safeguard critical system files, indicating a logic error in the state validation logic that gates protected file operations.
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- Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources
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Severity by source
AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N
Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.
CVSS VectorNVD
Lifecycle Timeline
2DescriptionCVE.org
This issue was addressed through improved state management. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.7.5, macOS Sonoma 14.8.5, macOS Tahoe 26.4. An attacker with root privileges may be able to delete protected system files.
Executive ViewAI
Organizations using This should be aware of moderate risk from CVE-2026-20693, a incorrect permissions vulnerability rated CVSS 4.9. Attackers could gain access beyond their authorized level. Organizations should apply vendor updates when available and monitor for exploitation.
Apply vendor patch. If patching is delayed: manually tighten permissions on affected resources.
Threat Intelligence Overview
NVD
CVE.org
EPSS
Vulnrichment
VulDB
How this decision was reached
The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.
What every action level means
SSVC AssessmentENISA
Priority Score
Attack Technique
Information disclosure occurs when an application unintentionally exposes sensitive data that aids attackers in reconnaissance or directly compromises security.
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