CVE-2026-112571 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/26/2026
A memory initialization issue was addressed with improved memory handling. 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. Processing a maliciously crafted image may result in disclosure of process memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2026
The vulnerability described involves a critical flaw in the handling of image processing routines within Apple's operating systems, specifically affecting iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS versions prior to those listed as fixed. This issue stems from improper initialization or management of memory buffers during the parsing and rendering of image files. When an application processes a maliciously crafted image file, it fails to correctly initialize certain memory regions before writing data into them or reading from them after processing. This lack of proper sanitization or bounds checking allows for out-of-bounds reads or writes, which can lead to the disclosure of sensitive information residing in the process's virtual address space.
From a technical perspective, this flaw aligns with CWE-125, Out-of-Bounds Read, and potentially CWE-787, Out-of-Bounds Write, depending on whether the exploit primarily reads leaked data or corrupts memory structures to achieve further exploitation. The core issue lies in the failure of the image decoding library to validate input dimensions against allocated buffer sizes or to ensure that all memory segments are zeroed out before use. In complex graphics pipelines, such as those used for rendering high-resolution images on retina displays, efficient memory management is crucial. However, when this efficiency comes at the cost of rigorous validation, attackers can craft image files with malformed headers or pixel data structures that trigger these unchecked memory accesses.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant because it enables information disclosure attacks against applications processing untrusted image content. An attacker could host a malicious webpage containing an exploit kit designed to load and process specially crafted images via web browsers or other media-handling components on the affected devices. Upon successful exploitation, the application may leak contents from adjacent memory regions that were not intended for public access. This can include cryptographic keys, session tokens, passwords, or other sensitive data stored in nearby heap or stack allocations. Such leaks undermine the confidentiality guarantees provided by the operating system's sandboxing mechanisms and process isolation models.
This type of vulnerability is frequently associated with attack techniques documented under MITRE ATT&CK ID T1083, File and Directory Discovery, although more accurately it facilitates information gathering through memory scraping rather than direct file access. It also relates to T1564, Hidden Files and Directories, in the context of hiding malicious payloads within seemingly benign image files that trigger the vulnerability upon execution or rendering by system services like QuickLook or Safari's WebKit engine. The ability to read arbitrary process memory can serve as a stepping stone for more advanced attacks, including privilege escalation if combined with other vulnerabilities such as heap spraying techniques or use-after-free conditions in subsequent processing stages.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve applying the provided software updates immediately across all affected platforms. Apple has addressed this issue by improving memory handling routines within the image decoding libraries to ensure that buffers are properly initialized and validated before access occurs. Developers should also implement defense-in-depth measures, such as enabling strict sandboxing policies for applications that handle user-uploaded images, utilizing ASLR (Address Space Layout Randomization) to make memory disclosure less predictable, and employing heap sanitizers during development and testing phases to detect out-of-bounds accesses early in the software lifecycle. Regular security audits of image processing code paths are recommended to prevent similar flaws from being introduced through future updates or third-party integrations.