---
id: CVE-2026-20615
title: A path handling issue was addressed with improved validation
summary: >-
  A path handling issue was addressed with improved validation. This issue is
  fixed in iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3, macOS Sequoia 15.7.4, macOS Sonoma 14.8.4,
  macOS Tahoe 26.3, visionOS 26.3. An app may be able to gain root privileges.
severity: high
cvss: 7.8
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'
cwe:
  - CWE-22
  - CWE-22
vendor: apple
product: ipados
affected:
  - ipados < 26.3
  - iphone_os < 26.3
  - 'macos >= 14.0, < 14.8.4'
  - 'macos >= 26.0, < 26.3'
  - visionos < 26.3
patched:
  - ipados 26.3
  - iphone_os 26.3
  - macos 26.3
  - visionos 26.3
published: '2026-02-11'
updated: '2026-08-21'
source: NVD
sourceUrl: 'https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-20615'
references:
  - url: 'https://support.apple.com/en-us/126346'
    label: product-security@apple.com
  - url: 'https://support.apple.com/en-us/126348'
    label: product-security@apple.com
  - url: 'https://support.apple.com/en-us/126349'
    label: product-security@apple.com
  - url: 'https://support.apple.com/en-us/126350'
    label: product-security@apple.com
  - url: 'https://support.apple.com/en-us/126353'
    label: product-security@apple.com
tags:
  - nvd
epss: 0.00163
epssPercentile: 0.04849
ingestedAt: '2026-08-21T03:06:25.048Z'
---

## Overview

A path handling issue was addressed with improved validation. This issue is fixed in iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3, macOS Sequoia 15.7.4, macOS Sonoma 14.8.4, macOS Tahoe 26.3, visionOS 26.3. An app may be able to gain root privileges.

## Affected

- `ipados < 26.3`
- `iphone_os < 26.3`
- `macos >= 14.0, < 14.8.4`
- `macos >= 26.0, < 26.3`
- `visionos < 26.3`

## Remediation

Upgrade past the affected range:

- `ipados 26.3`
- `iphone_os 26.3`
- `macos 26.3`
- `visionos 26.3`