Apple iOS/iPadOS/macOS Symlink RCE Allows Sensitive Data Access (Fixed 26.3+)
CVE-2026-20694 Published on March 25, 2026
This issue was addressed with improved handling of symlinks. This issue is fixed in iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3, macOS Sequoia 15.7.4, macOS Sequoia 15.7.5, macOS Sonoma 14.8.4, macOS Sonoma 14.8.5, macOS Tahoe 26.3, macOS Tahoe 26.4. An app may be able to access user-sensitive data.
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2026-20694 is exploitable with local system access, requires user interaction. This vulnerability is considered to have a low attack complexity. The potential impact of an exploit of this vulnerability is considered to have a high impact on confidentiality, with no impact on integrity and availability.
Weakness Type
What is a Symlink following Vulnerability?
The software, when opening a file or directory, does not sufficiently account for when the file is a symbolic link that resolves to a target outside of the intended control sphere. This could allow an attacker to cause the software to operate on unauthorized files. A software system that allows UNIX symbolic links (symlink) as part of paths whether in internal code or through user input can allow an attacker to spoof the symbolic link and traverse the file system to unintended locations or access arbitrary files. The symbolic link can permit an attacker to read/write/corrupt a file that they originally did not have permissions to access.
CVE-2026-20694 has been classified to as a Symlink following vulnerability or weakness.
Products Associated with CVE-2026-20694
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Affected Versions
Apple iOS and iPadOS:- Before 26.3 is affected.
- Before 14.8.4 is affected.
- Before 14.8.5 is affected.
- Before 15.7.4 is affected.
- Before 15.7.5 is affected.
- Before 26.3 is affected.
- Before 26.4 is affected.
Exploit Probability
EPSS (Exploit Prediction Scoring System) scores estimate the probability that a vulnerability will be exploited in the wild within the next 30 days. The percentile shows you how this score compares to all other vulnerabilities.