CVE-2026-20610

Local root escalation via Setup Assistant symlinks

Published Feb 11, 2026 · Updated Feb 11, 2026

Symlink handling in Setup Assistant in Apple macOS before 26.3 allows local users to gain root privileges through a malicious app. Apple identifies inadequate symlink handling but has not disclosed the affected operation, path, or how Setup Assistant processes an attacker-controlled link. Execution of a local app with low privileges is required, and successful exploitation grants root-level control of the Mac.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.21%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Symlink handling in Setup Assistant in Apple macOS before 26.3 allows local users to gain root privileges through a malicious app. Apple identifies inadequate symlink handling but has not disclosed the affected operation, path, or how Setup Assistant processes an attacker-controlled link. Execution of a local app with low privileges is required, and successful exploitation grants root-level control of the Mac.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-20610
Published
Feb 11, 2026
Updated
Feb 11, 2026
Vendor
Apple
Product
macOS
Classifications
CWE-59, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 11, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Feb 11, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=unspecified <26.3

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <26.3

Published CVSS scores

7.8CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-59Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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