Apple Releases iOS 26.6.1 Betas With Security Fixes as iOS 27 Nears in 1 Month

Q: Could the hidden Screen Sharing vulnerability in macOS allow hackers to quietly access your device right now?

Yes—if your Mac is unpatched and Screen Sharing is enabled, the flaw could allow unauthorized access right now under the right network conditions. Apple has now disclosed that macOS Tahoe 26.6.1, Sequoia 15.7.9, and Sonoma 14.8.9 fix CVE-2026-65400, a Screen Sharing authentication bug. Apple’s advisory says “an attacker on the network may be able to authenticate to Screen Sharing without valid credentials.” In plain terms, that means someone who can reach your Mac over the network could potentially get into a Screen Sharing session without your username and password. Apple has not said the bug was exploited in the wild. Still, outside security reporting describes it as serious because Screen Sharing is a built-in remote control feature. If abused, it could let an attacker view your screen, open apps and files, and possibly do more depending on configuration and privileges. Some researchers have suggested the impact may be broader, but Apple’s published notice stops at the authentication bypass. The risk is highest if Screen Sharing is turned on and your Mac is reachable by other devices on the same network or, worse, exposed to the internet. If Screen Sharing is off, or a firewall blocks access to the service, the immediate risk from this specific flaw is much lower. The practical answer is to update now. Install macOS 26.6.1, 15.7.9, or 14.8.9 through System Settings > General > Software Update, and disable Screen Sharing if you do not need it.

3 articles · Updated · Geeky Gadgets · Aug 10

iOS 26.6.1 and iPadOS 26.6.1 are now available only as betas for developers and public testers, correcting an earlier report that described them as full releases.
Apple says the 26.6.1 betas deliver security fixes for iPhone and iPad and can be installed over the air through Settings > General > Software Update.
The beta arrives two weeks after iOS 26.6, which added Spotlight optimizations as Apple winds down work on iOS 26.
iOS 27 is already in developer and public testing ahead of a public launch expected in about a month, making 26.6.1 a late-cycle maintenance update.