---
id: "CVE-2026-86915"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-86915"]
title: "macOS: race condition lets an app crash the whole system"
severity: "medium"
cvss: 4.7
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: []
ecosystems: []
tags: ["apple-devices", "infrastructure", "macos"]
not_affected_if: ["already-on-macos-golden-gate-27"]
published_at: "2026-10-20T01:17:27+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-10-23T21:57:19+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-10-25T04:35:14+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-86915", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T21:57:19+00:00"}]
---

# macOS: race condition lets an app crash the whole system

A race condition in macOS allowed a local app to trigger an unexpected system termination. Apple fixed it with improved locking in macOS Golden Gate 27.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## How to check

- Check the macOS version under About This Mac or with `sw_vers -productVersion`; versions before macOS Golden Gate 27 are exposed.

## Fix

- Update macOS to `Golden Gate 27` or later through Software Update.

## Timeline

- 2026-10-23T21:57:19+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-86915

## From the sources

A race condition was addressed with improved locking. This issue is fixed in macOS Golden Gate 27. An app may be able to cause unexpected system termination.

---

_Free to read at a human pace. An API with keys and an MCP server are in preparation; early access: hello@infrastack.ai_