Root privilege escalation via improper path validation
Published Jul 27, 2026 · Updated Jul 27, 2026
Path traversal in macOS Sonoma, Sequoia, and Tahoe allows local users to gain root privileges through directory-path parsing. The Accounts component mishandles directory paths because its parser does not sufficiently validate path boundaries; Apple has not disclosed the affected function or input. A local app must execute on Sonoma before 14.8.8, Sequoia before 15.7.8, or Tahoe before 26.6; successful exploitation elevates that app to root.
Summary
What happened
Path traversal in macOS Sonoma, Sequoia, and Tahoe allows local users to gain root privileges through directory-path parsing. The Accounts component mishandles directory paths because its parser does not sufficiently validate path boundaries; Apple has not disclosed the affected function or input. A local app must execute on Sonoma before 14.8.8, Sequoia before 15.7.8, or Tahoe before 26.6; successful exploitation elevates that app to root.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-43749
- Published
- Jul 27, 2026
- Updated
- Jul 27, 2026
- Vendor
- Apple
- Product
- macOS
- Classifications
- CWE-22, T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jul 27, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Jul 27, 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 <14.8.8
- Affected versionversion=0 <15.7.8
- Affected versionversion=0 <26.6
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
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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