Apple Patches Serious Screen Sharing Vulnerability on Mac
Apple has rolled out three security updates across multiple macOS versions to block a critical flaw that could let hackers access and control Macs without permission.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Apple released three new security updates on Thursday, August 6.
- The patches apply to macOS Tahoe 26.6.1, macOS Sequoia 15.7.9, and macOS Sonoma 14.8.9.
- The updates fix CVE-2026-65400, a Screen Sharing authentication flaw.
- Users are advised to install the updates immediately via System Settings.
Apple issued three separate security updates on Thursday, August 6, targeting a serious vulnerability that could allow malicious actors to initiate Screen Sharing sessions without explicit user permission. The updates span multiple operating system generations, proving that users do not necessarily need to be on the absolute latest software version to receive the necessary defense.
The specific releases are macOS Tahoe 26.6.1, macOS Sequoia 15.7.9, and macOS Sonoma 14.8.9, all of which pack the exact same critical fix tracked under the identifier CVE-2026-65400. According to Apple, this vulnerability could permit an attacker sharing the same network to authenticate to the Screen Sharing utility without providing valid credentials, effectively bypassing standard security gates.
Screen sharing protocols are inherently powerful tools designed for collaborative tasks and remote troubleshooting, but they also present major attack surfaces if compromised. Bypassing authentication mechanisms means an unauthorized party could theoretically jump straight into viewing sensitive personal files, private messages, and operational controls on an unsuspecting user's workstation.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
While standard screen sharing workflows typically require prompts and permissions from both participants, it remains uncertain whether this flaw could enable bad actors to take complete control of a target Mac. Fortunately, Apple has stated there is no indication that this vulnerability was previously disclosed to the public or actively exploited in the wild prior to the patch release.
Despite this reassuring news, the theoretical threat remains because advanced AI models, such as Claude Mythos, possess sophisticated capabilities in discovering software vulnerabilities. This opens up the distinct possibility that an external party could have identified the flaw independently. Updating your Mac is the definitive step to eliminate this exposure.
To apply the appropriate security patch on your computer, navigate to System Settings, select General, and click on Software Update. Let the operating system scan for the available package and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the download and installation process.
Source: Lifehacker
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