---
id: "CVE-2026-86961"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-86961"]
title: "Apple iOS and macOS: race condition lets malicious app escape sandbox"
severity: "high"
cvss: 7.8
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: []
ecosystems: []
tags: ["apple-devices", "infrastructure", "ios", "ipados", "macos"]
not_affected_if: ["already-on-fixed-release"]
published_at: "2026-10-20T01:17:28+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-10-23T21:57:19+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-10-25T03:10:10+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-86961", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T21:57:19+00:00"}]
---

# Apple iOS and macOS: race condition lets malicious app escape sandbox

A race condition in Apple's operating systems lets a malicious app break out of its sandbox. Apple fixed it with additional validation in iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS Golden Gate 27.

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

## How to check

- Check the device OS version in Settings > General > About (iOS/iPadOS) or Apple menu > About This Mac (macOS)
- unknown

## Fix

- Update iOS and iPadOS to `27` or later
- Update macOS to Golden Gate `27` or later
- unknown

## Timeline

- 2026-10-23T21:57:19+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-86961

## From the sources

A race condition was addressed with additional validation. This issue is fixed in iOS 27 and iPadOS 27, macOS Golden Gate 27. A malicious app may be able to break out of its sandbox.

---

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