CVE-2026-112415 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/26/2026
An out-of-bounds write was addressed with improved input validation. This issue is fixed in iOS 26.7.2 and iPadOS 26.7.2, iOS 27.2 and iPadOS 27.2, macOS Golden Gate 27.2, macOS Sequoia 15.8.2, macOS Tahoe 26.7.2, visionOS 27.2. An app may be able to cause unexpected system termination or corrupt process memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2026
The vulnerability described constitutes a critical out-of-bounds write flaw within the core operating systems of Apple's ecosystem, specifically affecting iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS platforms. This type of security defect arises when software writes data to a memory location that falls outside the boundaries of the intended buffer or array structure. In this specific instance, the root cause was traced back to insufficient input validation mechanisms within the affected system components. When an application provides malformed or excessively large inputs, the underlying code fails to properly verify whether these values align with allocated memory limits before performing write operations. This lack of rigorous boundary checking allows data to spill over into adjacent memory regions that are not intended for such writes, leading to direct corruption of process memory structures.
From a technical perspective, out-of-bounds writes represent one of the most dangerous classes of software vulnerabilities due to their potential for arbitrary code execution and privilege escalation. Unlike read-only violations which primarily lead to information disclosure or denial of service through crashes, write operations allow an attacker to modify critical data in memory. This can include overwriting function pointers, return addresses, or security-critical flags such as authentication tokens or access control lists. The presence of this flaw implies that the affected system components did not adequately sanitize user-supplied data before processing it for internal state changes. By addressing this issue with improved input validation, Apple has reinforced the boundary checks to ensure that any write operation is strictly confined within pre-allocated and verified memory segments, thereby neutralizing the mechanism by which an attacker could manipulate process behavior.
The operational impact of exploiting this vulnerability can be severe, ranging from local denial of service to complete system compromise. As noted in the advisory, a malicious app may trigger unexpected system termination, resulting in a crash that disrupts normal device functionality and degrades user experience. However, beyond simple instability, an attacker could leverage the memory corruption to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the compromised process. If the vulnerable component runs with elevated permissions, such as kernel-level or root access, successful exploitation could lead to full system takeover. This aligns closely with CWE-787, which classifies out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities based on their potential for memory corruption and subsequent control flow hijacking. The ability to corrupt process memory effectively undermines the integrity of the operating environment, making it a high-severity threat vector in mobile and desktop computing contexts.
In terms of attack classification, this vulnerability maps directly to MITRE ATT&CK techniques related to execution and privilege escalation. Specifically, it relates to T1203, which covers exploitation for client execution, where an attacker uses a vulnerable application or service as the initial entry point. Furthermore, because out-of-bounds writes can be used to bypass security restrictions by modifying memory structures that enforce access controls, they also intersect with techniques involving privilege escalation and defense evasion. The successful exploitation of this flaw allows an adversary to manipulate the execution flow of privileged processes, potentially leading to T1068, which involves exploitation for privilege escalation. Understanding these mappings is crucial for threat intelligence teams aiming to detect indicators of compromise associated with exploits targeting memory corruption flaws in modern operating systems.
Mitigation strategies primarily rely on the deployment of the provided software updates. Users and administrators must ensure that iOS 26.7.2 or later, iPadOS 26.7.2 or later, macOS Golden Gate 27.2, macOS Sequoia 15.8.2, macOS Tahoe 26.7.2, and visionOS 27.2 are installed on all relevant devices. These updates contain the necessary patches that enforce stricter input validation protocols within the affected subsystems. For developers building applications for these platforms, it is imperative to adhere to secure coding practices that emphasize rigorous boundary checking before any memory manipulation occurs. Utilizing static analysis tools and fuzzing techniques during the development lifecycle can help identify similar vulnerabilities early in the software production process. Additionally, enabling system-level protections such as Memory Protection Extensions (MPE) on supported Apple Silicon devices provides an additional layer of defense by restricting how code can interact with memory regions, thereby mitigating the impact even if a vulnerability were to exist unpatched for a short period.