CVE-2026-20695: 
macOS vulnerability analysis and mitigation

CVE-2026-20695 is a kernel information disclosure vulnerability in Apple macOS that allows a local app to determine kernel memory layout. The flaw exists within NVRAM variable logging, where sensitive information is exposed to an unauthorized control sphere. It affects macOS Sonoma 14.0–14.8.4, macOS Sequoia 15.0–15.7.4, and macOS Tahoe 26.0–26.3. Apple disclosed and patched the vulnerability on March 24, 2026. It carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.2 (Medium) (Apple Advisory macOS Sequoia, ZDI Advisory).

The root cause is an information exposure issue (CWE-200) in the macOS kernel's NVRAM variable logging subsystem, where sensitive memory layout data is insufficiently redacted before being written to logs accessible by low-privileged processes. An attacker who can execute low-privileged code on the target system can read these log entries to infer kernel memory addresses, effectively defeating kernel address space layout randomization (KASLR). Apple addressed the issue with improved memory management in the kernel component. The vulnerability was discovered by Gor Aleksanyan and 이동하 (Lee Dong Ha of BoB 0xB6) working with TrendAI Zero Day Initiative, and hari shanmugam (Apple Advisory macOS Sequoia, Apple Advisory macOS Tahoe, ZDI Advisory).

Successful exploitation allows a local app to determine kernel memory layout, which primarily impacts confidentiality (high) with no direct integrity or availability impact. The primary risk is that this information disclosure can be chained with other kernel vulnerabilities to bypass KASLR and achieve kernel-level code execution or privilege escalation, significantly amplifying the impact of other exploits on the same system (ZDI Advisory, Apple Advisory macOS Sequoia).

Apple has released patches addressing this vulnerability across all affected macOS versions. Users should update to macOS Sonoma 14.8.5, macOS Sequoia 15.7.5, or macOS Tahoe 26.4 or later. No configuration-based workaround is available; upgrading is the only remediation. Organizations should prioritize patching systems where untrusted or third-party code execution is possible, and consider supplementary endpoint security controls and application allowlisting to reduce local code execution risk (Apple Advisory macOS Sequoia, Apple Advisory macOS Sonoma, Apple Advisory macOS Tahoe).

The CIS published an advisory noting that multiple vulnerabilities in Apple products patched in this release could allow for privilege escalation, grouping CVE-2026-20695 among the broader March 2026 update. The SANS Internet Storm Center also covered the March 2026 Apple security updates. No significant individual researcher commentary or social media discussion specific to this CVE has been identified beyond standard vulnerability tracking.