CVE-2026-112469 in iPadOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/26/2026
An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved bounds checking. 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, tvOS 27.2, visionOS 27.2. An app may be able to cause unexpected system termination or corrupt kernel memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2026
The vulnerability described constitutes a critical out-of-bounds write flaw within the core operating systems of Apple devices, specifically affecting iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and visionOS platforms. This type of defect is categorized under CWE-787 as an Out-of-Bounds Write, which represents one of the most dangerous classes of memory corruption vulnerabilities because it allows a process to write data beyond the boundaries of allocated buffers. The root cause lies in insufficient validation checks during memory allocation or array indexing operations within kernel-level components. When an application triggers this flaw by supplying malformed input that exceeds expected buffer limits, the system fails to properly restrict the write operation, leading to memory corruption outside the intended scope.
From a technical perspective, out-of-bounds writes are particularly severe because they can overwrite adjacent memory structures such as function pointers, object headers, or control flow data. In the context of Apple's operating systems, where kernel integrity is paramount for security and stability, this flaw poses a significant risk to system reliability. The immediate operational impact includes unexpected system termination, commonly observed as crashes or panics in iOS and macOS environments. These disruptions can lead to denial-of-service conditions for users relying on these devices for critical tasks. More alarmingly, the corruption of kernel memory creates an opportunity for privilege escalation attacks. An attacker could potentially exploit this instability to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, effectively gaining control over the device's underlying operating system and bypassing standard sandbox restrictions that isolate applications from core system functions.
The remediation strategy implemented by Apple involves enhancing bounds checking mechanisms within the affected components. By rigorously validating input parameters against allocated buffer sizes before performing write operations, the vulnerability is mitigated at its source. This fix ensures that any attempt to access memory outside of designated boundaries results in a controlled error or termination rather than silent corruption. The availability of updates across multiple major versions indicates that this flaw existed in legacy code paths as well as newer releases, highlighting the importance of maintaining comprehensive security patches for all supported device generations. Users running iOS 26.7.2 and later, iPadOS 26.7.2 and later, macOS Golden Gate 27.2, Sequoia 15.8.2, Tahoe 26.7.2, tvOS 27.2, or visionOS 27.2 are protected against this specific threat vector.
In terms of industry standards mapping, this vulnerability aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK framework under techniques related to memory corruption and privilege escalation. Specifically, it relates to T1055 Process Injection if exploited for code execution, though primarily it serves as a precursor to more advanced exploitation chains involving kernel-level exploits like those categorized under T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation. Security professionals should prioritize patching these systems immediately to prevent potential abuse by malicious actors seeking to compromise device integrity. Regular maintenance of operating system versions is essential, as unpatched vulnerabilities in core components remain high-value targets for sophisticated threat groups aiming to establish persistent access or exfiltrate sensitive data from compromised devices.