CVE-2026-112612 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/26/2026
A path handling issue was addressed with improved validation. This issue is fixed in iOS 26.7.2 and iPadOS 26.7.2, iOS 27.2 and iPadOS 27.2. An attacker with physical access to a trust-paired device may be able to read and write arbitrary files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2026
The disclosed vulnerability represents a critical failure in path validation mechanisms within the operating system's file handling subsystems, specifically affecting iOS and iPadOS versions prior to 26.7.2 and 27.2. This flaw stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied or externally influenced input when processing file paths, allowing for directory traversal attacks that bypass intended access controls. By exploiting this path handling issue, an adversary can manipulate the system's interpretation of relative versus absolute paths to escape restricted directories and target arbitrary locations on the device's storage volume. This type of vulnerability is classically categorized under CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which highlights the failure to enforce strict boundaries around file access operations.
The operational impact of this flaw is severe due to its reliance on physical proximity and trust relationships rather than remote network exploitation. An attacker who has obtained physical access to a device that they have previously paired with their own trusted system can leverage this vulnerability to read sensitive data or write malicious files directly onto the target device's file system. This capability effectively bypasses many of the sandboxing protections designed to isolate applications and restrict user-level processes from accessing core system files or other application data stores. The ability to both read and write arbitrary files means that an attacker could potentially exfiltrate personal information, credentials, or encrypted keys stored on the device, while also introducing persistent malware or modifying configuration files to maintain unauthorized access or disrupt service availability.
From a threat intelligence perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to Local File Access and Data Staged via External Remote Services if combined with other post-exploitation steps. The requirement for physical access and trust pairing places this exploit within the context of device theft or insider threats where an attacker has brief but direct interaction capabilities with the hardware. Such scenarios often involve bypassing lock screen protections through trusted computer authorization, which then allows deeper system-level interactions that are normally prohibited by standard user permissions.
Mitigation strategies primarily focus on applying the provided software updates to iOS 26.7.2 and iPadOS 26.7.2, as well as iOS 27.2 and iPadOS 27.2, which contain the necessary code fixes for improved input validation. Organizations and individuals must ensure that devices are kept up-to-date with the latest security patches to close these low-level system flaws. Additionally, users should exercise extreme caution regarding physical access to their devices, treating any untrusted computer as a potential threat vector even if it appears benign. Implementing strict device management policies, such as requiring complex passcodes and disabling automatic pairing features in high-security environments can further reduce the attack surface for this specific class of vulnerabilities. Regular audits of paired trusted computers should also be conducted to remove legacy or unnecessary trust relationships that could facilitate future exploitation attempts.