CVE-2026-112560 in iPadOS
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, macOS Sequoia 15.8.2, macOS Tahoe 26.7.2, tvOS 27.2, visionOS 27.2, watchOS 27.2. Processing a maliciously crafted image may result in disclosure of process memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2026
The vulnerability described constitutes an out-of-bounds read condition within the system's image processing subsystems across multiple Apple operating environments including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS. This class of flaw is technically categorized under CWE-125 which defines Out-of-Bounds Read as a situation where software reads data past the end or before the beginning of the intended buffer. In this specific instance, the root cause lies in insufficient validation checks during the parsing or rendering of image files. When an application processes media assets, it allocates memory buffers to hold pixel data and metadata. The flaw arises because the code fails to strictly verify that the indices used to access these buffers remain within their allocated boundaries before performing read operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant due to its potential for information disclosure. By processing a maliciously crafted image file, an attacker can trigger the out-of-bounds read condition. This allows the application to retrieve and expose memory contents that reside adjacent to the intended buffer. Since modern operating systems employ various security mitigations such as Address Space Layout Randomization ASLR and Data Execution Prevention DEP, leaking raw process memory does not immediately equate to arbitrary code execution. However it provides critical intelligence about the current state of the application including stack canaries heap layouts or pointers to other objects in memory. This information leakage serves as a powerful enabler for subsequent exploitation stages particularly when combined with other vulnerabilities that allow for controlled writes or arbitrary read primitives.
From an attacker perspective this vulnerability aligns closely with ATT&CK technique T1083 File and Directory Discovery which involves examining the file system to gather intelligence although in this context it is more accurately mapped to memory disclosure techniques often associated with initial access or privilege escalation phases depending on the target process's privileges. The ability to read arbitrary memory locations can facilitate bypassing security controls that rely on secret values stored within the application binary such as cryptographic keys or authentication tokens if they are located in accessible regions of the heap or stack. Furthermore it aids in defeating ASLR by revealing base addresses of loaded libraries thereby reducing the entropy required for successful exploitation attempts against other flaws present in the same process space.
The resolution implemented involves enhancing bounds checking mechanisms within the image processing pipeline to ensure that all memory accesses are validated against allocated limits prior execution. This fix prevents the reading of unauthorized memory regions and effectively neutralizes the information disclosure vector. To mitigate risks associated with such vulnerabilities users should immediately update their devices to the specified patched versions iOS 26.7.2 iPadOS 26.7.2 macOS Sequoia 15.8.2 macOS Tahoe 26.7.2 tvOS 27.2 visionOS 27.2 and watchOS 27.2 as these updates contain the necessary code corrections to enforce strict memory safety constraints. Additionally developers integrating third-party image libraries should ensure they are using versions that adhere to modern security standards such as those defined by OWASP for input validation and buffer management practices to prevent similar out-of-bounds conditions in custom implementations.