---
id: "CVE-2026-86966"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-86966"]
title: "Apple iOS and macOS: symlink handling lets an app modify protected files"
severity: "unknown"
cvss: null
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: []
ecosystems: []
tags: ["apple", "infrastructure", "ios", "ipados", "macos", "visionos"]
not_affected_if: ["fixed-version"]
published_at: "2026-10-26T21:20:34+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-10-26T21:55:22+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-10-26T21:56:42+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-86966", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-26T21:55:22+00:00"}]
---

# Apple iOS and macOS: symlink handling lets an app modify protected files

Apple's advisory says an app can modify protected parts of the file system because symlinks were handled incorrectly. The flaw is fixed in the listed iOS, iPadOS, macOS and visionOS releases.

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

## How to check

- Check the OS version on Apple devices under Settings > General > About (iOS, iPadOS, visionOS) or Apple menu > About This Mac (macOS).
- Compare against the fixed versions listed in the description, such as `26.7.2` for iOS, iPadOS and macOS Tahoe, and `15.8.2` for macOS Sequoia.

## Fix

- Update iOS and iPadOS to `26.7.2` or later, or to iOS 27 and iPadOS 27.
- Update macOS Tahoe to `26.7.2`, macOS Sequoia to `15.8.2`, or move to macOS Golden Gate 27.
- Update visionOS to 27.

## Timeline

- 2026-10-26T21:55:22+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-86966

## From the sources

This issue was addressed with improved handling of symlinks. This issue is fixed in iOS 26.7.2 and iPadOS 26.7.2, iOS 27 and iPadOS 27, macOS Golden Gate 27, macOS Sequoia 15.8.2, macOS Tahoe 26.7.2, visionOS 27. An app may be able to modify protected parts of the file system.

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