CVE-2026-20618: Apple macOS · An app may be able to access user-sensitive data
Affects Apple macOSSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 5.5 Medium : upgrade to 26.3 when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 10:12 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 4% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 26.3
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:NExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 11 Feb 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Upgrade Apple macOS to 26.3.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| ApplemacOS | Affected
| Fixed in
|
AI-suggested
To mitigate CVE-2026-20618, organizations and users should promptly update affected macOS systems to version Tahoe 26.3 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed. Beyond patching, administrators should enforce strict application control policies to limit installation and execution of untrusted or unnecessary applications, reducing the risk of local exploitation. Employing endpoint security solutions that monitor file system access and detect anomalous behavior related to temporary files can help identify exploitation attempts. Restricting local user privileges and enforcing the principle of least privilege minimizes the attack surface. Additionally, educating users about the risks of running untrusted software and maintaining physical security of devices can reduce the likelihood of local attackers gaining access. Regular audits of temporary file handling and permissions on macOS systems can also help detect misconfigurations that might be exploited.
Description
An issue was addressed with improved handling of temporary files. This issue is fixed in macOS Tahoe 26.3. An app may be able to access user-sensitive data.