CVE-2026-20631
Logic Flaw in macOS Tahoe 26.4 Enables Privilege Escalation
Publication date: 2026-03-25
Last updated on: 2026-03-26
Assigner: Apple Inc.
Description
Description
CVSS Scores
EPSS Scores
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Meta Information
Affected Vendors & Products
| Vendor | Product | Version / Range |
|---|---|---|
| apple | macos | From 26.0 (inc) to 26.4 (exc) |
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
| CWE ID | Description |
|---|---|
| CWE-UNKNOWN |
Attack-Flow Graph
AI Powered Q&A
Can you explain this vulnerability to me?
CVE-2026-20631 is a vulnerability in the PackageKit component of macOS Tahoe 26.4. It is caused by a logic issue that allowed an attacker with root privileges to delete protected system files.
Apple fixed this issue by improving state management and adding better checks to prevent unauthorized deletion of critical system files.
How can this vulnerability impact me? :
This vulnerability can allow an attacker who already has root privileges to delete protected system files, potentially leading to system instability, data loss, or disruption of normal system operations.
Such unauthorized deletion of critical files could compromise the integrity and availability of the affected system.
How does this vulnerability affect compliance with common standards and regulations (like GDPR, HIPAA)?:
I don't know
How can this vulnerability be detected on my network or system? Can you suggest some commands?
I don't know
What immediate steps should I take to mitigate this vulnerability?
To mitigate this vulnerability, you should update your macOS Tahoe system to version 26.4 or later, where the issue has been fixed by Apple.
This update includes improved state management in the PackageKit component to prevent unauthorized deletion of critical system files.