{"dataType": "CVE_RECORD", "dataVersion": "5.2", "cveMetadata": {"cveId": "CVE-2026-28823", "assignerOrgId": "286789f9-fbc2-4510-9f9a-43facdede74c", "state": "PUBLISHED", "assignerShortName": "apple", "dateReserved": "2026-03-03T16:36:03.968Z", "datePublished": "2026-03-25T00:32:31.385Z", "dateUpdated": "2026-03-25T19:45:11.725Z"}, "containers": {"cna": {"problemTypes": [{"descriptions": [{"lang": "en", "description": "An app with root privileges may be able to delete protected system files"}]}], "affected": [{"vendor": "Apple", "product": "macOS", "versions": [{"version": "0", "status": "affected", "lessThan": "26.4", "versionType": "custom"}]}], "descriptions": [{"lang": "en", "value": "A path handling issue was addressed with improved validation. This issue is fixed in macOS Tahoe 26.4. An app with root privileges may be able to delete protected system files."}], "references": [{"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/126794"}], "providerMetadata": {"orgId": "286789f9-fbc2-4510-9f9a-43facdede74c", "shortName": "apple", "dateUpdated": "2026-03-25T00:32:31.385Z"}}, "adp": [{"problemTypes": [{"descriptions": [{"type": "CWE", "cweId": "CWE-284", "lang": "en", "description": "CWE-284 Improper Access Control"}]}], "metrics": [{"cvssV3_1": {"scope": "UNCHANGED", "version": "3.1", "baseScore": 4.9, "attackVector": "NETWORK", "baseSeverity": "MEDIUM", "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N", "integrityImpact": "NONE", "userInteraction": "NONE", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "availabilityImpact": "NONE", "privilegesRequired": "HIGH", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH"}}, {"other": {"type": "ssvc", "content": {"timestamp": "2026-03-25T19:44:51.936108Z", "id": "CVE-2026-28823", "options": [{"Exploitation": "none"}, {"Automatable": "no"}, {"Technical Impact": "partial"}], "role": "CISA Coordinator", "version": "2.0.3"}}}], "title": "CISA ADP Vulnrichment", "providerMetadata": {"orgId": "134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0", "shortName": "CISA-ADP", "dateUpdated": "2026-03-25T19:45:11.725Z"}}]}}

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{}

{"affected": [{"configurations": [{"platform": null, "status": "affected", "versions": {"scheme": "generic", "value": "[0,26.4)"}}], "enrichment": {"confidence": 100.0, "confidence_source": "matching", "scores": [{"score": 100.0, "source": "matching"}]}, "original": {"product": "macOS", "source": "cna", "vendor": "Apple"}, "product": "macos", "vendor": "apple"}], "analysis": {"en": {"generated_at": "2026-03-25T21:30:45.910086+00:00", "value": {"mitigation_remediation": ["Apply the macOS Tahoe 26.4 update or later to eliminate the path handling flaw.", "Verify that only trusted applications run with root privileges.", "Use built\u2011in integrity verification tools to detect unexpected changes to protected system files.", "Monitor logs for events indicating privileged file deletions."], "summary": {"action": "Immediate Patch", "impact": "Privilege Escalation / Unauthorized System Modification"}, "threat_synthesis": {"affected_systems": "Apple macOS versions prior to macOS Tahoe 26.4 are affected. The issue was fixed in macOS Tahoe 26.4 and later releases.", "description_and_impact": "A path handling issue in macOS allows an application running with root privileges to delete protected system files. The vulnerability is a weak access control (CWE\u2011284) that can remove critical files, potentially rendering the operating system unstable or causing denial of service. The compromise is limited to processes that already have elevated privileges.", "risk_and_exploitability": "The CVSS score of 4.9 indicates moderate severity, while the EPSS score of less than 1\u202f% and absence from the KEV catalog suggest a low likelihood of widespread exploitation. Attackers would need to install or run a malicious application with root rights; unprivileged users cannot trigger the flaw. Once an attacker has root, deleting system files can lead to loss of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system."}}}}, "created": "2026-03-25T11:36:18.599064+00:00", "title": "Path Handling Bug Enabling Deletion of Protected System Files in macOS", "updated": "2026-03-25T21:48:15.256928+00:00", "vendors": ["apple", "apple$PRODUCT$macos"]}