CVE-2026-64751 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 07/28/2026
A use after free issue was addressed with improved memory management. This issue is fixed in iOS 26.6 and iPadOS 26.6, macOS Tahoe 26.6, tvOS 26.6, visionOS 26.6, watchOS 26.6. An app may be able to cause unexpected system termination or write kernel memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2026
This vulnerability represents a classic use-after-free condition that was remediated through enhanced memory management protocols across Apple's ecosystem. The flaw occurred when an application could manipulate memory objects in such a way that they were freed from memory but subsequently accessed by the same or other processes, creating opportunities for arbitrary code execution and system instability. Such issues typically arise when software fails to properly track object lifecycles and maintain proper reference counting mechanisms.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in memory management. Attackers could exploit this weakness by crafting malicious applications that deliberately trigger memory deallocation followed by unauthorized access attempts. The operational impact extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially enabling kernel-level memory corruption, allowing adversaries to escalate privileges and execute code at the most privileged system level.
The remediation implemented across iOS 26.6, iPadOS 26.6, macOS Tahoe 26.6, tvOS 26.6, visionOS 26.6, and watchOS 26.6 demonstrates Apple's comprehensive approach to addressing memory safety issues. These updates incorporated enhanced memory management techniques including improved reference counting, object lifecycle tracking, and additional validation checks that prevent applications from accessing freed memory regions. The fix specifically addresses the potential for unexpected system termination and unauthorized kernel memory writes, which are particularly concerning as they could enable privilege escalation attacks.
From an attack perspective, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK tactics including privilege escalation and execution through the use of memory corruption techniques. The fact that it affects multiple operating systems indicates a systemic memory management weakness that required coordinated patching across Apple's entire platform ecosystem. Organizations should prioritize deployment of these updates as they address fundamental memory safety issues that could otherwise enable sophisticated attacks targeting system integrity and user data confidentiality.
The resolution reflects modern security practices emphasizing proactive memory safety measures over reactive incident response, aligning with industry standards for secure coding practices and memory management. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper memory lifecycle management in preventing exploitation opportunities that could compromise entire operating system architectures.