Protected file disclosure via Archive Utility preferences
Published May 11, 2026 · Updated May 11, 2026
Improper access control in Archive Utility in Apple macOS before 26.4 allows local users to read protected files through a malicious app. Archive Utility uses its broad filesystem permissions after unprivileged code changes attacker-controlled archive destination preferences, moving files across App Sandbox and TCC boundaries. Exploitation requires code execution in a user session and a one-time drag-and-drop access grant; the resulting exposure is limited to local protected data.
Summary
What happened
Improper access control in Archive Utility in Apple macOS before 26.4 allows local users to read protected files through a malicious app. Archive Utility uses its broad filesystem permissions after unprivileged code changes attacker-controlled archive destination preferences, moving files across App Sandbox and TCC boundaries. Exploitation requires code execution in a user session and a one-time drag-and-drop access grant; the resulting exposure is limited to local protected data.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-28910
- Published
- May 11, 2026
- Updated
- May 11, 2026
- Vendor
- Apple
- Product
- macOS
- Classifications
- CWE-284, T1005
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- May 11, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- May 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.
- Affected versionversion=0 <26.4
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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.
Public exploit references
- au-cp Archive Utility proof of conceptfunctional · demonstrated
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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