CVE-2026-28961: This issue was addressed with improved checks

Q: How do I fix CVE-2026-28961?

macos: upgrade to 26.5. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2026-28961 being exploited?

CVE-2026-28961 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2026-28961 affect?

CVE-2026-28961 affects macos. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.6). This issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.7.8, macOS Sonoma 14.8.8, macOS Tahoe 26.5. An attacker with physical access to a locked device may be able to view sensitive user information.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2026-28961?

Priority 20/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Routine

MEDIUM 4.6UPGRADE

CVE-2026-28961 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.6) affecting macos. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

This issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.7.8, macOS Sonoma 14.8.8, macOS Tahoe 26.5. An attacker with physical access to a locked device may be able to view sensitive user information.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.6 (Medium)
Attack vector	Physical
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.2% (top 86%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-522
Published	2026-05-11
Last modified	2026-10-26

Publisher (CNA): Apple Inc. · Vendor: apple

Last updated 2026-10-26 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-05-11 21:18 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-26 18:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

apple macos UPGRADE

Affected: >= 26.0 and < 26.5

Fixed in: 26.5

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 26.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2026-28961?

macos: upgrade to 26.5. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-28961 being exploited?

CVE-2026-28961 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2026-28961 affect?

CVE-2026-28961 affects macos. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.6). This issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.7.8, macOS Sonoma 14.8.8, macOS Tahoe 26.5. An attacker with physical access to a locked device may be able to view sensitive user information.

How urgent is CVE-2026-28961?

Priority 20/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Software pages

macOS vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-86950 HIGH 8.8 EXPLOITED UPGRADE UPGRADE Apple Multiple Products Out-of-Bounds Write Vulnerability
CVE-2026-65339 MEDIUM 5.0 UPGRADE UPGRADE A logic issue was addressed with improved checks
CVE-2026-64767 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE A buffer overflow was addressed with improved bounds checking
CVE-2026-28991 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE UPGRADE An out-of-bounds read was addressed with improved bounds checking
CVE-2026-28864 LOW 3.3 UPGRADE UPGRADE This issue was addressed with improved permissions checking

References

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