CVE-2026-20617
Analyzed Analyzed - Analysis Complete
Race Condition in Apple OSes Allows Root Privilege Escalation

Publication date: 2026-02-11

Last updated on: 2026-04-02

Assigner: Apple Inc.

Description
A race condition was addressed with improved state handling. This issue is fixed in iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3, macOS Sonoma 14.8.4, macOS Tahoe 26.3, tvOS 26.3, visionOS 26.3, watchOS 26.3. An app may be able to gain root privileges.
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Meta Information
Published
2026-02-11
Last Modified
2026-04-02
Generated
2026-06-16
AI Q&A
2026-02-12
EPSS Evaluated
2026-06-15
NVD
CVE-2026-20617
Affected Vendors & Products
Showing 7 associated CPEs
Vendor Product Version / Range
apple ipados to 26.3 (exc)
apple iphone_os to 26.3 (exc)
apple tvos to 26.3 (exc)
apple visionos to 26.3 (exc)
apple watchos to 26.3 (exc)
apple macos From 26.0 (inc) to 26.3 (exc)
apple macos From 14.0 (inc) to 14.8.4 (exc)
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
CWE
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KEV
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CWE ID Description
CWE-362 The product contains a concurrent code sequence that requires temporary, exclusive access to a shared resource, but a timing window exists in which the shared resource can be modified by another code sequence operating concurrently.
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Executive Summary

This vulnerability is a race condition issue that was addressed by improving state handling in the affected Apple operating systems.

Due to this race condition, an application may be able to gain root privileges, which means it could execute actions with the highest level of system access.

Impact Analysis

If exploited, this vulnerability could allow an app to gain root privileges on your device.

Gaining root privileges means the app could potentially control or modify any part of the system, leading to unauthorized access, data manipulation, or other malicious activities.

Compliance Impact

I don't know

Detection Guidance

I don't know

Mitigation Strategies

To mitigate this vulnerability, update your Apple devices to the fixed versions of the operating systems as soon as possible.

  • Update watchOS to version 26.3 or later.
  • Update tvOS to version 26.3 or later.
  • Update macOS Tahoe to version 26.3 or later.
  • Update macOS Sonoma to version 14.8.4 or later.
  • Update visionOS to version 26.3 or later.
  • Update iOS and iPadOS to version 26.3 or later.
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