CVE-2026-43679: This issue was addressed with improved permissions checking

Q: How do I fix CVE-2026-43679?

watchos: upgrade to 26.4. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2026-43679 being exploited?

CVE-2026-43679 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-2026-43679 affect?

CVE-2026-43679 affects watchos. Severity is low (CVSS 2.4). This issue was addressed with improved permissions checking. This issue is fixed in watchOS 26.4. An attacker with physical access to a locked Apple Watch may be able to view user contacts.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2026-43679?

Priority 10/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Routine

LOW 2.4UPGRADE

CVE-2026-43679 is a low-severity flaw (CVSS 2.4) affecting watchos. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

This issue was addressed with improved permissions checking. This issue is fixed in watchOS 26.4. An attacker with physical access to a locked Apple Watch may be able to view user contacts.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	2.4 (Low)
Attack vector	Physical
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.2% (top 94%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-284
Published	2026-08-21
Last modified	2026-10-18

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

Last updated 2026-10-18 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-08-21 01:17 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-18 20:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

apple watchos UPGRADE

Affected: < 26.4

Fixed in: 26.4

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

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-2026-43679?

watchos: upgrade to 26.4. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-43679 being exploited?

CVE-2026-43679 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-2026-43679 affect?

CVE-2026-43679 affects watchos. Severity is low (CVSS 2.4). This issue was addressed with improved permissions checking. This issue is fixed in watchOS 26.4. An attacker with physical access to a locked Apple Watch may be able to view user contacts.

How urgent is CVE-2026-43679?

Priority 10/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Software pages

watchOS vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

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
CVE-2026-20649 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE UPGRADE A logging issue was addressed with improved data redaction
CVE-2026-43661 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE UPGRADE A buffer overflow issue was addressed with improved memory handling
CVE-2026-28972 MEDIUM 6.5 UPGRADE UPGRADE An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved input validation

References

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