CVE-2026-20653 is a directory traversal vulnerability identified in Apple’s macOS and related operating systems such as iOS, iPadOS, and visionOS. The root cause is a parsing issue in the handling of directory paths, which allowed insufficient validation of input paths. This flaw could be exploited by a malicious application to access sensitive user data by manipulating directory paths to traverse outside intended directories. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory). Apple addressed this issue by implementing improved path validation in macOS Tahoe 26.3, macOS Sonoma 14.8.4, macOS Sequoia 15.7.4, iOS 18.7.5, iPadOS 18.7.5, visionOS 26.3, and subsequent versions. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5, indicating medium severity, with an attack vector of local (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), user interaction required (UI:R), unchanged scope (S:U), high confidentiality impact (C:H), and no impact on integrity or availability (I:N/A:N). No known exploits have been reported in the wild, but the vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized data disclosure if exploited. The vulnerability affects unspecified versions prior to the patched releases, emphasizing the importance of timely updates.

The primary impact of CVE-2026-20653 is unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user data due to improper directory path validation. A malicious app could exploit this vulnerability to access files or data outside its authorized sandbox, potentially exposing personal or confidential information. Although the vulnerability does not allow modification or destruction of data (integrity and availability unaffected), the confidentiality breach can have serious consequences, including privacy violations, intellectual property theft, or leakage of credentials. The requirement for local access and user interaction limits the attack surface, reducing the likelihood of widespread remote exploitation. However, in environments with many users or where malicious apps can be installed (e.g., enterprise or educational institutions), the risk is elevated. Organizations relying on Apple devices for sensitive operations or data storage are particularly vulnerable. The absence of known exploits in the wild suggests the vulnerability is not yet actively weaponized, but proactive patching is critical to prevent future exploitation.

1. Immediately apply the security updates released by Apple for macOS Tahoe 26.3, Sonoma 14.8.4, Sequoia 15.7.4, iOS 18.7.5, iPadOS 18.7.5, visionOS 26.3, and later versions to ensure the vulnerability is patched. 2. Restrict installation of applications to trusted sources only, such as the Apple App Store, and enforce strict app vetting policies to reduce the risk of malicious apps exploiting this vulnerability. 3. Employ endpoint protection solutions that monitor for suspicious file system access patterns indicative of directory traversal attempts. 4. Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted apps and the importance of not interacting with unknown prompts or requests that could trigger exploitation. 5. Implement application sandboxing and least privilege principles to minimize the potential damage from compromised or malicious apps. 6. Regularly audit and monitor sensitive data access logs to detect unusual access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. 7. For enterprise environments, consider using Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to enforce patch compliance and app installation policies.