The Netherlands’ National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is warning that hackers are actively exploiting a macOS authentication bypass vulnerability after public exploit code emerged.
The security issue lies in macOS Screen Sharing, a built-in remote desktop feature that allows remote desktop control over a network, using the VNC protocol over TCP port 5900.
Apple fixed CVE-2026-65400 on August 6 in macOS Tahoe 26.6.1 and earlier releases. The flaw allows network-based attackers to gain access without valid credentials.
An attacker could use this access to open applications remotely, access files, change security settings, and perform various other actions.
In an update to the initial advisory, the Dutch agency said it received a report indicating that the vulnerability is being exploited in the wild in attacks where port 5900 is exposed to the internet.
According to the NCSC, the attacker obtained root access to the system and deployed a Monero cryptocurrency miner.
“The NCSC has received a notification indicating that active abuse of this vulnerability has been observed on multiple systems on which port 5900 was accessible from the Internet,” reads the Dutch agency’s update.
“In all these cases, root had been accessed on the affected system, and a Monero crypto miner had been placed.”
macOS users are recommended to upgrade their system to one of the following releases, which address CVE-2026-65400:
- macOS Tahoe 26.6.1
- macOS Sequoia 15.7.9
- macOS Sonoma 14.8.9
These releases improve state management mechanisms to enforce correct credential validation and prevent rogue authentication attempts.
Where system updates are not immediately possible, users can use System Settings to disable Screen Sharing (General → Sharing → Screen Sharing) if not needed.
NSCS has not shared any details about the reported attacks, when they started, if they extend beyond cryptocurrency mining, or how many systems have been impacted.
Overall prevention scores can hide what happens after initial access. Once attackers are using valid credentials, prevention drops sharply.
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