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Xcode EUVDEUVD-2026-15167

| CVE-2026-28889 MEDIUM
Improper Privilege Management (CWE-269)
2026-03-25 apple GHSA-92fw-jwv6-qxx7
6.2
CVSS 3.1 · NVD
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Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A06:2025 - Insecure Design
ASVS 5.0
V8 - Authorization Least privilege enforcement
MITRE ATT&CK

1 technique across 1 tactic: Privilege Escalation

The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up.

Impact

This vulnerability represents high real-world risk despite the absence of published CVSS metrics and EPSS scores. The ability to read arbitrary files as root is a critical technical impact (full information disclosure of sensitive system and application data). The attack vector is local (requiring an attacker to execute code on the same system), but the complexity is likely low since the vulnerability is triggered through normal Xcode functionality rather than requiring complex exploitation. The lack of active KEV designation and public POC does not diminish the severity—privilege escalation from unprivileged application to root-level file read access is inherently exploitable. This should be treated as a critical priority for any organization using Xcode in production or development environments.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

An attacker with local code execution capability could craft a malicious application or build tool that triggers Xcode's vulnerable file-reading functionality to access sensitive system files such as SSH keys stored in /root/.ssh, configuration files in /etc, or other privileged system data. Once executed on a developer's machine or build server, the malicious code could leverage the permissions bypass to exfiltrate root-owned files that would normally be inaccessible to unprivileged users, enabling further privilege escalation or lateral movement within the system. The local attack vector and apparent ease of exploitation (based on the 'permissions issue' description) suggest this could be weaponized in supply chain attacks targeting development environments.

This Month Plan within 30 days. Why: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9).
Patch available 0.0% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv1 – Mar 25, 2026

A permissions bypass vulnerability in Apple Xcode allows unprivileged applications to read arbitrary files with root-level privileges due to insufficient access controls. The vulnerability affects Xcode versions prior to 26.4 and could enable attackers to exfiltrate sensitive system files or configuration data. While no CVSS score or EPSS data is currently published, the ability to read arbitrary files as root represents a critical privilege escalation issue that warrants immediate patching.

RemediationAI

Upgrade Apple Xcode to version 26.4 or later immediately to remediate this vulnerability. Users can obtain the patched version through the Mac App Store or by downloading directly from Apple's developer portal at https://support.apple.com/en-us/126801. As an interim measure before patching, restrict Xcode's execution environment using macOS security features such as System Integrity Protection (SIP) verification and restrict file system access through sandbox profiles or entitlements where possible. Additionally, audit any applications or build processes that depend on Xcode to ensure they are not running with elevated privileges unnecessarily.

Affected VersionsENISA

Xcode 0 <26.4

Affected Packages

euvd xcode fix: 26.4

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

This vulnerability represents a permissions enforcement failure in Apple Xcode, the integrated development environment used for macOS and iOS development. The affected product is identified via CPE as cpe:2.3:a:apple:xcode:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*, covering all versions prior to the 26.4 patch release. While the specific CWE is not disclosed, the issue fundamentally relates to improper access control mechanisms—likely CWE-269 (Improper Access Control) or CWE-276 (Incorrect Default Permissions)—where Xcode's file access operations fail to properly validate or restrict permissions before granting root-level read access to arbitrary file system locations.

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  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY 6.2 MEDIUM
AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
None
Availability
None

Lifecycle Timeline

2
Patch available
Apr 16, 2026 - 05:29 EUVD
26.4
CVE Published
Mar 25, 2026 - 00:31 nvd
MEDIUM 6.2

DescriptionCVE.org

A permissions issue was addressed with additional restrictions. This issue is fixed in Xcode 26.4. An app may be able to read arbitrary files as root.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

Organizations using A permissions should be aware of moderate risk from CVE-2026-28889, a improper privilege management vulnerability rated CVSS 6.2. Attackers could gain access beyond their authorized level. Organizations should apply vendor updates when available and monitor for exploitation.

Business Impact: Low
Compensating Controls

Apply vendor patch. If patching is delayed: restrict network access and enable monitoring.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.0%
Top 97% exploitable
Data Quality
5 sources
Confidence: Medium

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.

SignalValue
Severity MEDIUM
CISA KEV No
Public POC No
EPSS 0.0%
Patch available Yes
Active threat No
Deciding rule
MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9)
What every action level means
Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.
Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.
Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision
Defer
Exploitation
None
System Exposure· derived
Small
Automatable
No
Human Impact
Low
Technical Impact
Partial

Priority Score

31
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +31
PoC: 0
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Privilege escalation occurs when an attacker leverages flaws in access control mechanisms to gain permissions beyond what they were originally granted.

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