Root privilege escalation via insufficient kernel restrictions
Published Sep 14, 2026 · Updated Sep 14, 2026
Privilege escalation in the Apple macOS Kernel allows local users to gain root privileges through a malicious application. The Kernel applies insufficient permission restrictions to an operation exposed to applications; Apple has not disclosed the affected interface or permission check. A locally running app is required, and successful exploitation grants root-level control with no reported remote reachability.
Summary
What happened
Privilege escalation in the Apple macOS Kernel allows local users to gain root privileges through a malicious application. The Kernel applies insufficient permission restrictions to an operation exposed to applications; Apple has not disclosed the affected interface or permission check. A locally running app is required, and successful exploitation grants root-level control with no reported remote reachability.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-86917
- Published
- Sep 14, 2026
- Updated
- Sep 14, 2026
- Vendor
- Apple
- Product
- macOS
- Classifications
- T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Sep 14, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Sep 14, 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 <15.8
- Affected versionversion=0 <26.7
- Affected versionversion=0 <27
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
No CVSS assessment is available in this record.
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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