Apple macOS's Improper Authentication Flaw Allows a Network Attacker to Bypass Login Controls and Gain Unauthorized Access to the Operating System; CISA's August 21st KEV Deadline Has Passed

Last refreshed2026-09-27

Status: KEV | Advisory ID: CVE-2026-65400

Key Details

CVE	CVE-2026-65400
Vulnerability Name	Apple macOS Improper Authentication Vulnerability
CVSS Score / Version	9.8 (Critical) / CVSS v3.1
Updated	2026-09-22
CVSS Vector	`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`
CVSS Prose	attack vector is network; attack complexity is low; privileges required is none; user interaction is none; scope is unchanged; confidentiality impact is high; integrity impact is high; availability impact is high.
Affected products	Apple macOS
Exploitation status	Listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, indicating confirmed active exploitation.
Classified as	CWE-287 (Improper Authentication)
KEV listing	Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog on 2026-08-18.
Exploitation prediction (EPSS)	1.22% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days (67% percentile) -- FIRST.org's EPSS model.
Federal remediation deadline	2026-08-21 (CISA KEV, Binding Operational Directive).

Affected Products, Subsystems & Sectors

Vendor	Product	Affected Versions	Patch Status
Apple	macOS

Vendor

Product

Affected Versions

Patch Status

Apple

macOS

Subsystems	General OT
Sectors	Multiple

What to Know

An authentication issue was addressed with improved state management. This issue is fixed in macOS Golden Gate 27, macOS Sequoia 15.7.9, macOS Sonoma 14.8.9, macOS Tahoe 26.6.1, macOS Tahoe 26.7. An attacker on the network may be able to authenticate to Screen Sharing without valid credentials.

What to Do

Monitor Apple's web page for any future patch releases.

References

Source	Reference
NVD	https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-65400
CVE	https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-65400

Source

Reference

NVD

https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-65400

CVE

https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-65400

KEV Required Action

Field	Value
KEV Link	https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog
Date Added to KEV	2026-08-18
Required Action Due Date	2026-08-21
Required Action	Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for evaluating each asset's internet exposure and ensuring adherence to BOD 26-04 patching guidelines.

Field

Value

KEV Link

https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog

Date Added to KEV

2026-08-18

Required Action Due Date

2026-08-21

Required Action

Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for evaluating each asset's internet exposure and ensuring adherence to BOD 26-04 patching guidelines.