CVE-2026-64781 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 08/17/2026
The issue was addressed with improved input validation. This issue is fixed in iOS 18.7.10 and iPadOS 18.7.10, iOS 26.6.1 and iPadOS 26.6.1, macOS Tahoe 26.6.2. Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to an unexpected Safari crash.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2026
The vulnerability described involves a flaw in the processing of web content within Apple's Safari browser engine, specifically affecting iOS and iPadOS versions prior to 18.7.10 and 26.6.1, as well as macOS Tahoe version 26.6.2. The core technical issue stems from insufficient input validation when parsing or rendering maliciously crafted web content. This deficiency allows an attacker who controls the content being processed to trigger a logic error or memory corruption state within the browser's rendering engine. When such malformed data is encountered, the application fails to handle the exception gracefully, resulting in an unexpected crash of the Safari process.
From a technical perspective, this type of vulnerability typically falls under the category of improper input validation, which is formally classified as CWE-20: Improper Input Validation. The lack of rigorous checks on the structure or content of incoming web data means that edge cases or specifically crafted payloads can bypass expected parsing routines. In many browser engines, such flaws often relate to how JavaScript objects are instantiated, how DOM elements are manipulated, or how memory is allocated for complex rendering tasks. When the input does not conform to expected formats but is still processed without adequate safeguards, it can lead to state inconsistencies that cause the application to terminate unexpectedly.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is primarily centered around availability and user experience rather than direct code execution or data exfiltration in its current manifestation. A successful exploit would result in a denial of service against Safari for the affected device. For end-users, this manifests as the browser closing abruptly while viewing specific web pages, potentially leading to loss of unsaved work such as form inputs or browsing sessions. While a crash itself is not inherently a security breach that compromises confidentiality or integrity, it can be leveraged in conjunction with other vulnerabilities to achieve more severe outcomes. For instance, an attacker might use this denial-of-service condition to disrupt user trust or force a restart into a state where further exploitation attempts are easier, although the primary risk here remains service disruption.
In terms of threat modeling and industry frameworks, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499: Endpoint Denial of Service, specifically under sub-techniques related to application crash or resource exhaustion. The attack vector is classified as Network-based, requiring the victim to visit a maliciously crafted website hosted by an attacker. This highlights the importance of secure browsing practices and the reliance on browser vendors to patch rendering engine flaws that could be triggered remotely via standard web technologies like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, or WebAssembly.
Apple has addressed this issue through improved input validation mechanisms within the Safari rendering pipeline. The fix ensures that malformed or maliciously crafted content is properly identified and handled before it can cause a crash state in the application logic. This patching strategy reinforces the principle of defense-in-depth by adding stricter checks at the point of data ingestion, thereby preventing the execution path from reaching unstable states caused by invalid inputs.
To mitigate this vulnerability, users must update their devices to iOS 18.7.10, iPadOS 18.7.10, iOS 26.6.1, iPadOS 26.6.1, or macOS Tahoe 26.6.2 as soon as possible. These updates contain the necessary code changes to validate input more rigorously and prevent the crash condition from occurring. Until these patches are applied, users should exercise caution when visiting untrusted websites or clicking on links that lead to unknown web content. Enabling features such as Content Security Policy (CSP) reporting in development environments can also help identify potential issues during application testing, although for end-users, keeping software up-to-date remains the most effective defense against this class of browser-based vulnerabilities.