CVE-2026-112477 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/26/2026
A race condition was addressed with improved locking. 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, watchOS 27.2. An app may be able to cause unexpected system termination or corrupt kernel memory.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2026
The vulnerability described involves a race condition within the operating system's core components, specifically related to synchronization mechanisms that manage access to shared resources. A race condition occurs when two or more threads of execution compete for the same resource without proper coordination, leading to unpredictable behavior depending on which thread accesses the resource first. In this instance, the flaw stems from insufficient locking during critical operations within the kernel space. The fix implemented in the specified updates involves strengthening these synchronization primitives to ensure that only one process can access or modify the protected data at any given time, thereby eliminating the window of opportunity for an attacker to exploit the timing discrepancy.
From a technical perspective, this type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-362, which defines concurrent execution using shared resources with improper synchronization. When such a race condition exists in kernel-level code, it poses a significant risk because the kernel operates at the highest privilege level on most modern operating systems, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS. An application running with standard user privileges can potentially trigger this flaw by carefully crafting requests that cause concurrent access to vulnerable memory structures or system calls. The lack of proper locking allows an attacker to manipulate the state of kernel data in ways not intended by the developers, leading to a breakdown in the integrity guarantees provided by the operating system's security model.
The operational impact of exploiting this race condition is severe and multifaceted. As noted in the advisory, an app may be able to cause unexpected system termination or corrupt kernel memory. System termination typically manifests as a crash or reboot, resulting in a denial-of-service against the device itself. However, the more critical risk lies in the potential for kernel memory corruption. By overwriting specific memory locations due to the race condition, an attacker can alter control flow data structures within the kernel. This can lead to arbitrary code execution with kernel privileges, effectively granting full control over the compromised system. Such a scenario allows for persistent access, installation of malware, exfiltration of sensitive user data, and bypassing other security controls like sandboxing or encryption protections that rely on intact kernel state.
This vulnerability aligns with several tactics in the MITRE ATT&CK framework. The initial exploitation phase corresponds to T1059, Command and Scripting Interpreter, as an application executes code to trigger the flaw. If successful, the ability to corrupt memory and execute arbitrary code falls under T1068, Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, moving from user-level access to kernel-level dominance. Furthermore, if the corruption allows persistence or evasion of detection mechanisms, it may also relate to T1543, Create or Modify System Process, depending on how the attacker maintains control after exploitation. The lack of proper synchronization is a fundamental design flaw that undermines the isolation boundaries between applications and the operating system core.
Mitigation for this vulnerability relies primarily on timely software updates provided by Apple. Devices running iOS 26.7.2, iPadOS 26.7.2, iOS 27.2, iPadOS 27.2, macOS Golden Gate 27.2, macOS Sequoia 15.8.2, macOS Tahoe 26.7.2, tvOS 27.2, visionOS 27.2, and watchOS 27.2 have received patches that address the locking issues responsible for this race condition. Organizations and individual users should ensure their devices are updated to these versions or later to eliminate the attack surface associated with this specific flaw. Additionally, maintaining strict app source verification policies can reduce the risk of malicious applications being installed on managed devices, although even legitimate apps could theoretically trigger this bug if they contain code paths that inadvertently invoke the vulnerable kernel routines under high-concurrency conditions.
In summary, this race condition represents a critical security weakness in the synchronization logic of Apple's operating systems. By failing to properly lock shared resources during concurrent operations, it allows for potential denial-of-service and arbitrary code execution with elevated privileges. The resolution through improved locking mechanisms restores the integrity of kernel memory management. Adherence to recommended update schedules is essential to protect against exploitation of this vulnerability across all supported platforms including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS.