CVE-2026-112698 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/26/2026
The 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. An app may be able to cause unexpected system termination.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2026
The vulnerability described involves a critical flaw in memory management within the operating systems of Apple devices, specifically affecting iOS and iPadOS versions prior to 26.7.2 and 27.2, as well as macOS variants including Golden Gate 26.7.2, Sequoia 15.8.2, and Tahoe 26.7.2. The core technical issue stems from improper handling of memory resources during specific application interactions. When an application triggers the flawed code path, it can lead to a state where system memory is corrupted or exhausted in a manner that prevents the operating system from maintaining stability. This type of defect typically manifests as a buffer overflow, use-after-free error, or integer overflow that results in unauthorized access to protected memory regions or causes the kernel to encounter an unrecoverable exception. The fix implemented by Apple focuses on reinforcing these memory handling routines to ensure that bounds are correctly checked and resources are properly allocated and released, thereby preventing the conditions that lead to system instability.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration categories such as CWE-120 Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input or CWE-416 Use After Free, depending on the specific nature of the memory error. These weaknesses are fundamental flaws in software development where the program does not verify that input data fits within allocated buffers or continues to use pointers after they have been invalidated. In the context of mobile and desktop operating systems, such errors can be particularly dangerous because they occur at a low level where security boundaries are enforced by the kernel. An attacker leveraging this flaw could potentially cause denial-of-service conditions by forcing the system into an unrecoverable state, leading to unexpected termination processes that disrupt user productivity and compromise service availability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is primarily centered on reliability and availability rather than direct data exfiltration or privilege escalation in its current disclosed form. The primary consequence observed is the ability for a maliciously crafted application to cause the system to terminate unexpectedly. This denial-of-service effect can result in loss of unsaved work, interruption of critical services running on the device, and potential security implications if the termination process leaves temporary files or memory states that could be exploited by subsequent attacks. While the immediate impact is service disruption, such instability often serves as a precursor vector for more sophisticated exploits targeting higher-privilege processes within the operating system architecture.
Mitigation strategies require prompt application of the provided software updates to all affected devices. Administrators should ensure that iOS and iPadOS are updated to version 26.7.2 or later, specifically including builds 27.2 where applicable, and macOS systems must be patched to Golden Gate 26.7.2, Sequoia 15.8.2, or Tahoe 26.7.2. These updates contain the necessary code changes that rectify the memory handling deficiencies. In environments where immediate patching is not feasible due to compatibility concerns, organizations should implement strict application whitelisting policies and monitor for unusual system termination events using endpoint detection and response tools. Additionally, restricting app installation sources to trusted repositories can reduce the risk of exposure to malicious applications designed to trigger this specific vulnerability until all devices in the fleet have been secured against this memory management flaw.