CVE-2026-64760 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 08/17/2026
An information leakage was addressed with additional validation. This issue is fixed in iOS 18.7.10 and iPadOS 18.7.10. An app may be able to leak sensitive kernel state.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2026
The vulnerability described involves a critical flaw within the operating system's handling of internal states, specifically related to how information is exposed during specific operations. This issue was resolved through the implementation of additional validation checks designed to prevent unauthorized access or exposure of sensitive data structures that reside in kernel space. The core technical failure lies in insufficient boundary checking and state management logic, which allowed an application running with standard privileges to query or infer details about the current state of the kernel. Such information leakage is particularly dangerous because it can reveal memory layouts, active processes, security module configurations, or other internal mechanisms that are not intended for public consumption. By addressing this through rigorous validation, Apple has closed a pathway that could otherwise be exploited by malicious actors to gain deeper insights into the system's architecture and operational status.
From a technical perspective, this flaw aligns with CWE-200, which categorizes issues where an information exposure is obtained from resources not intended for disclosure. The vulnerability likely stems from improper sanitization of return values or error codes that inadvertently leak kernel pointers or state identifiers to user-space applications. In modern mobile operating systems like iOS and iPadOS, the separation between user space and kernel space is fundamental to security. When this boundary is compromised through information leakage, it undermines the integrity of the entire system. The fix involves enhancing the validation routines within the affected subsystems to ensure that only authorized entities can access specific state information, thereby enforcing strict least-privilege principles at the kernel level.
The operational impact of such a vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure. Attackers can leverage leaked kernel state information for further exploitation attempts, including privilege escalation attacks or bypassing security controls like sandboxing and code signing requirements. For instance, knowledge of specific kernel addresses or states can facilitate return-oriented programming (ROP) chains or help identify the presence of certain security patches that have already been applied. This significantly lowers the barrier for subsequent exploits, making devices running unpatched versions more susceptible to complex attack vectors. The disclosure highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software environments, as even seemingly minor information leaks can serve as critical stepping stones in a multi-stage cyberattack.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve ensuring that all iOS and iPadOS devices are updated to version 18.7.10 or later, where these validation checks have been implemented. Organizations should enforce automated patch management policies to minimize the window of exposure for their fleets. Additionally, developers must adhere to strict security coding standards that prioritize input validation and output sanitization when interacting with system APIs. Monitoring tools can be configured to detect anomalous behavior indicative of information leakage attempts, such as unusual patterns in API calls or unexpected access requests to kernel-related functions. Continuous monitoring and timely application of vendor-provided updates remain the most effective defenses against this class of vulnerabilities.
This incident also reflects broader industry trends where mobile operating systems are increasingly targeted for sophisticated attacks that exploit subtle implementation flaws rather than major architectural weaknesses. The ATT&CK framework categorizes such activities under techniques related to Discovery, specifically those involving system information gathering or process discovery via unauthorized means. By resolving these issues proactively, vendors contribute to the overall resilience of the ecosystem against advanced persistent threats and opportunistic malware alike. Security professionals should remain vigilant for similar patterns in future updates, as attackers continuously adapt their methods to find new ways to bypass existing controls through subtle state manipulation and information leakage.