CVE-2026-112622 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 Tahoe 26.7.2. An attacker in radio range may be able to cause unexpected system termination.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2026
The vulnerability described constitutes a critical memory safety flaw classified as an out-of-bounds read within the Apple operating systems ecosystem. This type of error occurs when software attempts to access data at a memory address that lies outside the boundaries of the intended buffer or array structure. In this specific instance, the root cause was identified as insufficient bounds checking during the processing of network-related inputs, likely involving wireless communication protocols given the attacker's proximity requirement. The issue has been remediated through enhanced validation logic that ensures all data access operations remain within allocated memory limits, thereby preventing unauthorized reads from adjacent or unrelated memory regions.
From a technical perspective, out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities are categorized under CWE-125 in the Common Weakness Enumeration standard. This classification highlights the risk of reading beyond valid array bounds, which can lead to information disclosure if sensitive data is exposed, or system instability if invalid pointers are dereferenced later in execution flow. The presence of this flaw indicates a gap in input validation mechanisms within the affected components, specifically those handling radio frequency communications or associated protocol stacks. Such gaps allow malformed or specially crafted packets to trigger memory access violations that were previously unchecked by the application logic.
The operational impact of exploiting this vulnerability is significant due to its remote nature and low barrier for entry regarding physical proximity. An attacker positioned within wireless range can potentially exploit this flaw to cause unexpected system termination, effectively resulting in a denial-of-service condition against the target device. While immediate arbitrary code execution may not be guaranteed by an out-of-bounds read alone, such memory corruption errors often serve as precursors to more severe exploits if combined with other vulnerabilities or specific heap layout conditions. The ability to crash the system disrupts service availability and can lead to data loss for unsaved workloads running on the affected iOS, iPadOS, macOS Golden Gate, or macOS Tahoe devices.
In terms of threat modeling, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1498.002, Network Denial of Service via Resource Exhaustion by Flooding, particularly when considering the impact of system termination caused by malformed network traffic. It also relates to initial access vectors involving wireless communication protocols where proximity is a prerequisite for exploitation. The requirement for an attacker to be in radio range suggests that physical security measures and proper configuration of wireless interfaces are critical defense layers alongside software patches.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve the immediate application of the provided firmware updates, which include iOS 26.7.2, iPadOS 26.7.2, iOS 27.2, iPadOS 27.2, macOS Golden Gate 27.2, and macOS Tahoe 26.7.2. These patches incorporate the necessary bounds checking improvements to neutralize the memory safety flaw. Additionally, organizations should enforce strict network segmentation policies to limit exposure of wireless interfaces to untrusted networks where possible. Regular vulnerability scanning and patch management cycles are essential to ensure that such critical security updates are deployed promptly across all managed devices within an enterprise environment.