CVE-2026-28823

Protected system file deletion via path mishandling

Published Mar 25, 2026 · Updated Mar 25, 2026

Path handling flaw in the Admin Framework in Apple macOS before 26.4 allows local users with root privileges to delete protected system files. The framework improperly validates a filesystem path before a privileged deletion, but Apple has not disclosed the affected function or exact validation failure. Execution requires an app already running with root privileges; the bounded consequence is deletion of files normally protected by the operating system.

CVSS severity4.9
Medium
EPSS probability0.29%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Path handling flaw in the Admin Framework in Apple macOS before 26.4 allows local users with root privileges to delete protected system files. The framework improperly validates a filesystem path before a privileged deletion, but Apple has not disclosed the affected function or exact validation failure. Execution requires an app already running with root privileges; the bounded consequence is deletion of files normally protected by the operating system.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-28823
Published
Mar 25, 2026
Updated
Mar 25, 2026
Vendor
Apple
Product
macOS
Classifications
CWE-284, T1485
Attack vector
local
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Mar 25, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Mar 25, 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=0 <26.4

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

Apple · macOSversion=0 <26.4

Published CVSS scores

4.9NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
4.9CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

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 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-284Improper Access Control
T1485Data Destruction

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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