CVE-2026-84538: A denial-of-service issue was addressed with improved input validation

Q: How do I fix CVE-2026-84538?

macos: upgrade to 15.8, 26.7. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2026-84538 being exploited?

CVE-2026-84538 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-2026-84538 affect?

CVE-2026-84538 affects macos. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.5). A denial-of-service issue was addressed with improved input validation. This issue is fixed in macOS Golden Gate 27, macOS Sequoia 15.8, macOS Tahoe 26.7. A remote attacker may be able to cause a denial-of-service.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2026-84538?

Priority 33/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Routine

MEDIUM 6.5UPGRADE

CVE-2026-84538 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.5) affecting macos. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A denial-of-service issue was addressed with improved input validation. This issue is fixed in macOS Golden Gate 27, macOS Sequoia 15.8, macOS Tahoe 26.7. A remote attacker may be able to cause a denial-of-service.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.5% (top 58%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-20
Published	2026-09-14
Last modified	2026-09-15

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

Last updated 2026-09-15 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-09-14 21:17 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-09-15 17:39 UTCUpdated Record last modified

apple macos UPGRADE

Affected: >= 15.0 and < 15.8 · >= 26.0 and < 26.7

Fixed in: 15.8, 26.7

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 15.0

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-2026-84538?

macos: upgrade to 15.8, 26.7. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-84538 being exploited?

CVE-2026-84538 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-2026-84538 affect?

CVE-2026-84538 affects macos. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.5). A denial-of-service issue was addressed with improved input validation. This issue is fixed in macOS Golden Gate 27, macOS Sequoia 15.8, macOS Tahoe 26.7. A remote attacker may be able to cause a denial-of-service.

How urgent is CVE-2026-84538?

Priority 33/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Software pages

macOS vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-112529 HIGH n/a UPGRADE An out-of-bounds read was addressed with improved bounds checking
CVE-2026-112483 HIGH n/a UPGRADE A path handling issue was addressed with improved validation
CVE-2026-112495 HIGH n/a UPGRADE An out-of-bounds read was addressed with improved bounds checking
CVE-2026-112456 HIGH n/a UPGRADE UPGRADE An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved input validation
CVE-2026-112513 HIGH n/a UPGRADE This issue was addressed with improved validation of symlinks

References

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