CVE-2026-20669 is a vulnerability in Apple macOS caused by improper handling and validation of directory paths, specifically a parsing issue that allows an application to bypass intended directory restrictions. This flaw is classified under CWE-22, which involves improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, potentially enabling directory traversal attacks. An attacker with local access and the ability to run an application on the affected system can exploit this vulnerability by crafting directory paths that bypass validation checks, thereby gaining unauthorized access to sensitive user data stored in protected directories. The vulnerability requires user interaction but no privileges or authentication, making it easier to exploit in environments where users install or run untrusted applications. The issue was addressed by Apple through improved path validation in macOS Tahoe 26.3. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium severity), reflecting the vulnerability's impact on confidentiality without affecting integrity or availability. No known exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date, but the potential for sensitive data exposure warrants prompt remediation.

The primary impact of CVE-2026-20669 is unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user data on affected macOS systems. This can lead to privacy violations, leakage of personal or corporate information, and potential further exploitation if attackers gain access to credentials or confidential files. Since the vulnerability does not affect data integrity or system availability, the risk is confined to confidentiality breaches. However, given macOS's widespread use in enterprise and personal environments, successful exploitation could undermine user trust and lead to compliance issues related to data protection regulations. The requirement for local access and user interaction limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk in environments where users may run malicious or compromised applications.

Organizations and users should upgrade to macOS Tahoe 26.3 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed with improved path validation. Until patching is possible, restrict installation and execution of untrusted applications through application whitelisting and endpoint protection solutions. Employ strict user privilege management to limit the ability to run unauthorized software. Educate users about the risks of running unknown applications and encourage vigilance against social engineering tactics that may prompt execution of malicious apps. Regularly audit file system permissions and monitor for unusual access patterns to sensitive directories. Implement macOS security features such as System Integrity Protection (SIP) and Full Disk Encryption to reduce exposure. Finally, maintain up-to-date backups to mitigate potential secondary impacts from data exposure or related attacks.