CVE-2026-43681

Undergoing Analysis Undergoing Analysis - In Progress

Buffer Overflow in macOS Kernel Memory

Publication date: 2026-07-27

Last updated on: 2026-07-29

Assigner: Apple Inc.

Description

A buffer overflow was addressed with improved bounds checking. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.7.8, macOS Sonoma 14.8.8, macOS Tahoe 26.6. A local user may be able to read kernel memory.

CVSS Scores

EPSS Scores

Probability:
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Meta Information

Published

2026-07-27

Last Modified

2026-07-29

Generated

2026-08-17

AI Q&A

2026-07-28

EPSS Evaluated

2026-08-15

NVD

CVE-2026-43681

EUVD

EUVD-2026-49555

Affected Vendors & Products

Vendor	Product	Version / Range
apple	macos	From 14.0 (inc) to 14.8.8 (exc)
apple	macos	From 15.0 (inc) to 15.7.8 (exc)
apple	macos	From 26.0 (inc) to 26.6 (exc)

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE

KEV

CWE ID	Description
CWE-120	The product copies an input buffer to an output buffer without verifying that the size of the input buffer is less than the size of the output buffer.

Attack-Flow Graph

Executive Summary

This vulnerability is a buffer overflow issue caused by insufficient bounds checking. It allows a local user to potentially read kernel memory due to improper memory handling in the affected macOS versions.

Detection Guidance

This vulnerability is a local kernel memory read issue in Apple macOS versions prior to Sequoia 15.7.8, Sonoma 14.8.8, and Tahoe 26.6. Detection requires checking your macOS version against the patched releases. Use the command 'sw_vers' to check your current macOS version.

Impact Analysis

A local attacker could exploit this to read sensitive kernel memory, potentially leading to unauthorized access to system data or privilege escalation. However, exploitation requires local access to the vulnerable system.

Compliance Impact

The vulnerability allows a local user to read kernel memory, which could potentially expose sensitive data. This may impact compliance with standards requiring data confidentiality, such as GDPR or HIPAA, if exploited to access protected information.

Mitigation Strategies

Update to the latest patched versions of macOS Sequoia 15.7.8, macOS Sonoma 14.8.8, or macOS Tahoe 26.6 to address the buffer overflow issue.

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