CVE-2026-20694
Received Received - Intake
Symlink Handling Flaw in Apple OS Allows Unauthorized Data Access

Publication date: 2026-03-25

Last updated on: 2026-03-26

Assigner: Apple Inc.

Description
This issue was addressed with improved handling of symlinks. This issue is fixed in iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3, macOS Sequoia 15.7.4, macOS Sequoia 15.7.5, macOS Sonoma 14.8.4, macOS Sonoma 14.8.5, macOS Tahoe 26.3, macOS Tahoe 26.4. An app may be able to access user-sensitive data.
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Meta Information
Published
2026-03-25
Last Modified
2026-03-26
Generated
2026-06-16
AI Q&A
2026-03-25
EPSS Evaluated
2026-06-15
NVD
EUVD
Affected Vendors & Products
Showing 5 associated CPEs
Vendor Product Version / Range
apple ipados to 26.3 (exc)
apple iphone_os to 26.3 (exc)
apple macos From 15.0 (inc) to 15.7.4 (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
KEV Icon
CWE ID Description
CWE-61 The product, when opening a file or directory, does not sufficiently account for when the file is a symbolic link that resolves to a target outside of the intended control sphere. This could allow an attacker to cause the product to operate on unauthorized files.
CWE-59 The product attempts to access a file based on the filename, but it does not properly prevent that filename from identifying a link or shortcut that resolves to an unintended resource.
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Executive Summary

This vulnerability involves improper handling of symbolic links (symlinks) in certain Apple operating systems. Due to this issue, an application may be able to access user-sensitive data that it should not normally have access to. The problem was addressed by improving how symlinks are handled in the affected systems.

Impact Analysis

The vulnerability can allow an application to access sensitive user data without proper authorization. This could lead to unauthorized disclosure of personal or confidential information stored on the device.

Mitigation Strategies

To mitigate this vulnerability, update your Apple devices to the fixed versions: iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3, macOS Sequoia 15.7.4 or 15.7.5, macOS Sonoma 14.8.4 or 14.8.5, and macOS Tahoe 26.3 or 26.4.

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