CVE-2026-20680 is a security vulnerability identified in Apple’s macOS and related operating systems, including iOS and iPadOS. The core issue stems from insufficient restrictions on the observability of application states within the sandbox environment. Sandboxing is a security mechanism designed to isolate applications and limit their access to system resources and user data. However, due to this vulnerability, a sandboxed app may circumvent these controls and access sensitive user data that should otherwise be protected. The vulnerability affects multiple Apple OS versions, including macOS Tahoe 26.3, Sonoma 14.8.4, Sequoia 15.7.4, and iOS/iPadOS versions 18.7.5 and 26.3. Apple addressed the issue by implementing additional restrictions on how app states can be observed, thereby closing the gap that allowed unauthorized data access. No public exploits have been reported to date, indicating that the vulnerability is not yet actively exploited in the wild. The lack of a CVSS score suggests the need for an independent severity assessment. The vulnerability primarily impacts confidentiality by enabling unauthorized access to sensitive data within sandboxed apps, potentially exposing personal or corporate information. Exploitation does not require elevated privileges but does require the presence of a malicious or compromised sandboxed app on the device. User interaction may be minimal if the app is installed or updated silently. The scope includes all affected Apple devices running the vulnerable OS versions, which are widely used in enterprise and consumer environments.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality of sensitive user and corporate data accessed or stored on Apple devices. Many enterprises rely on macOS and iOS devices for daily operations, including handling confidential communications, intellectual property, and personal data protected under GDPR. A sandboxed app exploiting this vulnerability could bypass intended security boundaries, leading to unauthorized data disclosure or leakage. This could result in regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and operational disruption. The impact is heightened in sectors with stringent data protection requirements such as finance, healthcare, and government. Additionally, organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies may face increased exposure if employees install untrusted apps. Although no known exploits exist yet, the potential for future weaponization by threat actors targeting European entities is considerable, especially given the widespread use of Apple devices in the region.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should prioritize updating all affected Apple devices to the patched OS versions: macOS Tahoe 26.3, Sonoma 14.8.4, Sequoia 15.7.4, iOS 18.7.5, iPadOS 18.7.5, and their 26.3 updates. IT departments must enforce strict patch management policies to ensure timely deployment. Additionally, organizations should restrict app installations to trusted sources such as the Apple App Store and implement Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to control app permissions and monitor for suspicious app behavior. Employing application allowlisting can reduce the risk of malicious sandboxed apps being installed. User education on the risks of installing unverified apps is also critical. Network segmentation and data encryption can further limit the impact of potential data exposure. Regular audits of device security posture and app permissions will help detect anomalies early. Finally, organizations should monitor threat intelligence feeds for any emerging exploit activity related to this vulnerability.