---
id: "CVE-2026-86928"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-86928"]
title: "Apple macOS: path handling flaw lets an app read protected user data"
severity: "medium"
cvss: 5.5
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "other"
products: []
ecosystems: []
tags: ["apple", "endpoints", "macos", "other"]
not_affected_if: ["already-on-golden-gate-27"]
published_at: "2026-10-20T01:17:27+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-10-23T21:57:19+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-10-25T04:12:39+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-86928", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T21:57:19+00:00"}]
---

# Apple macOS: path handling flaw lets an app read protected user data

A path handling weakness in macOS allowed an app to reach protected user data it should not access. Apple fixed it in macOS Golden Gate 27 with improved validation.

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

## How to check

- Run `sw_vers -productVersion` on the Mac and compare it with the fixed release, which the sources do not name.
- unknown

## Fix

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

## Timeline

- 2026-10-23T21:57:19+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-86928

## From the sources

A path handling issue was addressed with improved validation. This issue is fixed in macOS Golden Gate 27. An app may be able to access protected user data.

---

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