CVE-2026-112625 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/26/2026
An integer underflow was addressed with improved input validation. 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. Processing a maliciously crafted image may result in memory corruption.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2026
The vulnerability described involves an integer underflow condition within the image processing subsystem of Apple operating systems including iOS, iPadOS, and various versions of macOS such as Sequoia, Tahoe, and Golden Gate. Integer underflows occur when a subtraction operation results in a value that is smaller than the minimum representable unsigned integer or negative signed integer, leading to incorrect memory allocation sizes or buffer boundaries. In this specific context, processing a maliciously crafted image triggers this flaw because the application fails to adequately validate input parameters before performing arithmetic operations related to image dimensions, color depth, or compression metadata. The lack of robust input validation allows an attacker to supply specially constructed data that causes the internal counters or size calculations to wrap around, resulting in significantly smaller allocated buffers than required for safe processing.
This technical flaw directly leads to memory corruption when the system attempts to write pixel data or structural information into a buffer that is too small due to the underflowed size calculation. Memory corruption of this nature can manifest as heap overflows, stack-based buffer overruns, or use-after-free conditions depending on how the vulnerable code manages dynamic memory allocation during image decoding. The operational impact is severe because it allows for arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected application if an attacker can control the content written to the corrupted memory region. This typically involves injecting shellcode or leveraging existing gadgets within the process address space, potentially leading to full system compromise depending on the security mitigations in place such as ASLR and DEP.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-190 Integer Overflow or Wrap Around, specifically underflow scenarios where negative results are interpreted as large positive values due to unsigned arithmetic rules. It also relates closely to CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write which is the direct consequence of the incorrect buffer sizing derived from the integer error. In terms of offensive security frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK, this vulnerability facilitates initial access and execution techniques by allowing attackers to bypass standard memory safety checks through crafted media files that are commonly encountered in email attachments, web browsing sessions, or instant messaging applications.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve applying the provided software updates which include improved input validation logic within the image processing libraries. These patches ensure that all dimensions and metadata values extracted from images are rigorously checked against expected maximum limits before any arithmetic operations are performed. For developers integrating similar functionality in custom applications, it is critical to implement strict bounds checking on all integer calculations involving buffer sizes or array indices. Additionally, employing static analysis tools capable of detecting potential underflow conditions during the development phase can help prevent such vulnerabilities from reaching production environments. Users should ensure their devices remain updated with the latest security patches for iOS 26.7.2, iPadOS 26.7.2, iOS 27.2, iPadOS 27.2, macOS Golden Gate 27.2, macOS Sequoia 15.8.2, and macOS Tahoe 26.7.2 to mitigate the risk of exploitation through maliciously crafted images.