CVE-2026-86981: An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved bounds checking

Q: How do I fix CVE-2026-86981?

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

Q: Is CVE-2026-86981 being exploited?

CVE-2026-86981 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-2026-86981 affect?

CVE-2026-86981 affects macos. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved bounds checking. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.8, macOS Tahoe 26.7. An app may be able to cause unexpected system termination.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2026-86981?

Priority 20/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Routine

MEDIUM 5.5UPGRADE

CVE-2026-86981 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.5) affecting macos. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved bounds checking. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.8, macOS Tahoe 26.7. An app may be able to cause unexpected system termination.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.1% (top 97%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-787
Published	2026-10-20
Last modified	2026-10-29

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

Last updated 2026-10-29 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-10-20 01:17 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-29 16:30 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-2026-86981?

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

Is CVE-2026-86981 being exploited?

CVE-2026-86981 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-2026-86981 affect?

CVE-2026-86981 affects macos. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved bounds checking. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.8, macOS Tahoe 26.7. An app may be able to cause unexpected system termination.

How urgent is CVE-2026-86981?

Priority 20/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Software pages

macOS vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-113939 MEDIUM 6.5 UPGRADE An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved bounds checking
CVE-2026-112708 MEDIUM 5.3 UPGRADE A race condition was addressed with improved locking
CVE-2026-112544 MEDIUM 6.5 UPGRADE An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved bounds checking
CVE-2026-112484 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE This issue was addressed with improved file handling
CVE-2026-112471 MEDIUM 4.3 UPGRADE A buffer overflow was addressed with improved bounds checking

References

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