CVE-2026-112554 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/26/2026
An out-of-bounds read 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. An app may be able to cause unexpected system termination or read kernel memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2026
The vulnerability addressed in this update involves an out-of-bounds read condition within the operating system's core components. This type of flaw typically arises when a software routine accesses data at a memory address that lies outside the intended buffer boundary, often due to insufficient validation of input parameters or incorrect calculation of array indices. In the context of iOS and macOS systems, such errors frequently occur in kernel-level code where strict isolation between user-space applications and system resources is critical for maintaining overall security posture. The root cause is a deficiency in bounds checking logic, which fails to verify that memory access requests remain within allocated limits before execution proceeds.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant because it allows an unprivileged application to potentially read kernel memory or trigger unexpected system termination. By exploiting the out-of-bounds read, a malicious actor could extract sensitive information stored in kernel space, such as cryptographic keys, authentication tokens, or other privileged data structures that are not normally accessible to user applications. Furthermore, if the accessed memory region is unmapped or corrupted, the operation can cause a panic condition leading to system crashes and denial of service for all users on the device. This dual nature of impact highlights the severity of kernel-level memory safety issues in mobile operating systems where sandboxing mechanisms are relied upon heavily to contain application behavior.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities involving access to memory beyond the bounds of an allocated buffer. In terms of attack tactics, it relates to ATT&CK techniques associated with unauthorized data collection and potential privilege escalation pathways through information disclosure. The ability to read kernel memory effectively bypasses standard sandbox restrictions, allowing attackers to gather intelligence that can facilitate further exploitation steps or lateral movement within a compromised environment.
Mitigation for this issue is primarily achieved through the deployment of the provided software updates. Apple has addressed the flaw by implementing improved bounds checking mechanisms in iOS 26.7.2, iPadOS 26.7.2, iOS 27.2, iPadOS 27.2, macOS Golden Gate 27.2, macOS Sequoia 15.8.2, and macOS Tahoe 26.7.2. These updates ensure that memory access operations are properly validated against allocated buffer sizes before execution, thereby preventing the out-of-bounds read condition from occurring. Organizations and individual users should prioritize installing these patches to close this security gap. Additionally, maintaining strict application sandboxing policies and monitoring for anomalous system behavior can provide supplementary layers of defense against exploitation attempts targeting similar memory safety vulnerabilities in future updates.