CVE-2026-28973 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 07/27/2026
An integer overflow was addressed with improved input validation. This issue is fixed in iOS 26.6 and iPadOS 26.6, macOS Sequoia 15.7.8, macOS Sonoma 14.8.8, macOS Tahoe 26.6, watchOS 26.6. A malicious app may be able to break out of its sandbox.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2026
An integer overflow vulnerability represents a critical flaw in software systems where an arithmetic operation attempts to create a numeric value that exceeds the maximum limit that can be stored in the allocated memory space. This particular vulnerability, addressed in multiple Apple operating system versions including iOS 26.6, iPadOS 26.6, macOS Sequoia 15.7.8, macOS Sonoma 14.8.8, macOS Tahoe 26.6, and watchOS 26.6, demonstrates how improper input validation can create security risks that extend beyond simple computational errors. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-190 category of integer overflow and is particularly concerning due to its potential for privilege escalation and sandbox escape capabilities.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs when applications process user-supplied data without adequate bounds checking, allowing attackers to manipulate input values in ways that cause integer arithmetic to wrap around or exceed maximum permissible values. When an integer overflow occurs during memory allocation or buffer size calculations, it can lead to unexpected behavior including memory corruption, stack overflows, or heap corruption that malicious actors can exploit. The vulnerability's classification as a sandbox escape indicates that it provides attackers with mechanisms to bypass the isolation boundaries that normally protect application processes from accessing system resources or other applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond traditional software malfunction into serious security implications for mobile and desktop environments. Malicious applications that successfully exploit this integer overflow can potentially gain unauthorized access to system resources, execute arbitrary code outside their designated sandbox boundaries, and compromise the integrity of the entire operating system environment. This represents a significant threat vector in Apple's ecosystem where sandboxing is a fundamental security control designed to prevent applications from accessing sensitive data or system functions without proper authorization.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily focus on implementing robust input validation mechanisms that check for potential overflow conditions before integer arithmetic operations occur. The fixes deployed by Apple in the affected versions include enhanced validation routines that monitor and constrain input values to ensure they remain within safe operational ranges. Organizations should prioritize applying these security updates immediately, as the vulnerability's exploitation potential means that unpatched systems face significant risk of compromise. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process aligns with established cybersecurity practices outlined in frameworks such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and follows the principle of least privilege by ensuring that applications cannot exceed their designated memory allocation limits, thereby preventing potential exploitation through integer overflow attacks.