CVE-2026-43723

Analyzed Analyzed - Analysis Complete

Path Handling Issue in Apple iOS and macOS Leading to Root Privilege Escalation

Publication date: 2026-07-27

Last updated on: 2026-07-28

Assigner: Apple Inc.

Description

A path handling issue was addressed with improved validation. This issue is fixed in iOS 26.6 and iPadOS 26.6, macOS Sequoia 15.7.8, macOS Sonoma 14.8.8, macOS Tahoe 26.6, tvOS 26.6, visionOS 26.6, watchOS 26.6. An app may be able to gain root privileges.

CVSS Scores

EPSS Scores

Probability:
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Meta Information

Published

2026-07-27

Last Modified

2026-07-28

Generated

2026-08-17

AI Q&A

2026-07-28

EPSS Evaluated

2026-08-15

NVD

CVE-2026-43723

EUVD

EUVD-2026-49621

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)
apple	ipados	to 26.6 (exc)
apple	iphone_os	to 26.6 (exc)
apple	tvos	to 26.6 (exc)
apple	visionos	to 26.6 (exc)
apple	watchos	to 26.6 (exc)

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE

KEV

CWE ID	Description
CWE-22	The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.

Attack-Flow Graph

Executive Summary

This is a path handling vulnerability that could allow an app to gain root privileges due to insufficient validation of file paths. It affects multiple Apple operating systems including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS.

Detection Guidance

This vulnerability is specific to Apple operating systems and requires patching rather than direct detection via commands. Update affected systems to iOS 26.6, iPadOS 26.6, macOS Sequoia 15.7.8, macOS Sonoma 14.8.8, macOS Tahoe 26.6, tvOS 26.6, visionOS 26.6, or watchOS 26.6 to address the issue.

Impact Analysis

An attacker could exploit this to gain elevated privileges on your device, potentially allowing them to access sensitive data, install malicious software, or take control of your system. This could affect personal devices or corporate systems running vulnerable Apple software.

Compliance Impact

The vulnerability allows an app to gain root privileges, which could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data. This may impact compliance with GDPR (data protection) and HIPAA (health information privacy) by enabling data breaches or unauthorized processing of personal or health data.

Mitigation Strategies

Update affected systems to the latest patched versions: iOS 26.6, iPadOS 26.6, macOS Sequoia 15.7.8, macOS Sonoma 14.8.8, macOS Tahoe 26.6, tvOS 26.6, visionOS 26.6, or watchOS 26.6. This vulnerability allows an app to gain root privileges, so applying updates is critical.

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