CVE-2026-112559 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/26/2026
An authorization issue was addressed with improved state management. 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, watchOS 27.2. An app may be able to access sensitive user data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2026
The vulnerability described constitutes a critical authorization flaw rooted in inadequate state management within the operating system's application execution environment. This issue allows an unauthorized application to bypass intended security controls and gain access to sensitive user data that should remain isolated from other processes. The core technical deficiency lies in how the system handles session states, authentication tokens, or permission contexts during transitions between different applications or when switching tasks. When state management is not rigorously enforced, an attacker can exploit race conditions or improper validation of current privileges to trick the operating system into believing that a malicious app has legitimate authorization where it does not exist. This type of flaw typically involves manipulating internal variables or memory states related to user identity and access rights, leading to a breakdown in the principle of least privilege which is fundamental to modern mobile and desktop security architectures.
From an industry standard perspective, this vulnerability aligns closely with CWE-269, Improper Privilege Management, specifically regarding the failure to properly enforce authorization checks during state transitions. It also relates to CWE-807, Reliance on Untrusted Inputs in Security Decision, as the system likely relies on input or context that can be manipulated by a malicious actor to alter its security posture. In terms of offensive tactics, this behavior maps directly to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1534, Internal Spearphishing, if exploited via social engineering leading to app installation, but more accurately reflects T1078, Valid Accounts, or T1606, Forged Web Credentials, depending on the specific mechanism of state manipulation. The exploitation vector generally requires local access, meaning an attacker must already have some level of presence on the device, often through a maliciously crafted application that has been granted minimal permissions but exploits these deeper system-level flaws to escalate privileges or exfiltrate data beyond its sandbox boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for end-users and enterprise environments alike. An adversary who successfully exploits this flaw can access sensitive personal information such as contacts, messages, photos, location history, and potentially financial credentials stored within other applications. This breach of confidentiality undermines user trust and violates privacy regulations such as GDPR or CCPA if the exposed data includes personally identifiable information. For organizations using mobile device management solutions, this represents a significant risk to corporate data security, especially on devices used for work-related activities where sensitive business intelligence may be accessible through compromised personal apps. The ability to access data across application boundaries effectively neutralizes the sandboxing protections that are designed to contain malware and limit damage from compromised applications.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve applying the provided software updates which address these state management deficiencies in iOS 26.7.2, iPadOS 26.7.2, macOS Golden Gate 27.2, macOS Sequoia 15.8.2, macOS Tahoe 26.7.2, visionOS 27.2, and watchOS 27.2. These updates likely include stricter validation of authorization states during context switches and improved isolation mechanisms to prevent cross-application data leakage. Administrators should ensure that all devices within their infrastructure are patched immediately to close this attack vector. Additionally, users should be advised to install applications only from trusted sources such as the official App Store or enterprise distribution channels with verified signatures. Implementing strict app permission policies through mobile device management tools can further reduce the risk by limiting which apps have access to sensitive data categories, thereby minimizing the potential impact even if a vulnerability is present in an application's own code. Regular security audits and monitoring for unusual data access patterns can also help detect exploitation attempts early before significant damage occurs.