CVE-2026-65333 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 08/18/2026
This issue was addressed through improved state management. 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 critical flaw in the state management logic within Apple's WebKit rendering engine, which powers the Safari browser on iOS and iPadOS devices as well as macOS systems. This issue was specifically addressed through improved handling of internal states during the processing of web content. The core technical flaw lies in how the browser manages memory or execution contexts when encountering maliciously crafted HTML, CSS, JavaScript, or other web technologies designed to exploit edge cases in state transitions. When a user navigates to or loads such specially constructed web pages, the application fails to properly validate or reset its internal state variables, leading to an inconsistent operational condition that triggers an unexpected crash of the Safari process.
From a technical perspective, this type of vulnerability typically falls under categories related to improper input validation and resource management errors. In terms of industry-standard classification systems, this aligns closely with CWE-20 Improper Input Validation or potentially CWE-416 Use After Free if the state corruption leads to accessing memory that has already been deallocated during a transition phase. The attack vector is primarily remote via the web, meaning an attacker does not need physical access or prior authentication on the target device. Instead, they rely on social engineering techniques such as phishing emails, malicious advertisements, or compromised websites to lure users into visiting the crafted content. This aligns with MITRE ATT&CK technique T1189 Drive-by Compromise, where exploitation occurs without any direct action from the victim other than browsing the web.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is primarily characterized by a denial-of-service condition for the Safari browser on affected devices. When triggered, the abrupt termination of the Safari process disrupts the user's workflow and can lead to data loss if unsaved work was present in open tabs or forms. While the primary manifestation is a crash, state management flaws in browsers often serve as precursors to more severe security issues such as arbitrary code execution or information disclosure. If an attacker can manipulate memory states effectively, they might potentially achieve heap corruption or control flow hijacking, although the current description emphasizes the stability impact of crashing rather than full system compromise. Nevertheless, the potential for escalation remains a significant concern in browser-based attack chains.
To mitigate this risk, users must ensure that their devices are updated to the latest secure versions provided by Apple. The vulnerability has been resolved in iOS 18.7.10 and iPadOS 18.7.10, as well as in macOS Tahoe 26.6.2. Additionally, for environments where immediate patching is not feasible due to compatibility constraints, deploying content filtering solutions or web proxies that inspect incoming traffic for known malicious patterns can provide a layer of defense against exploitation attempts. Organizations should also enforce strict security policies regarding browser usage and encourage users to avoid clicking on suspicious links from untrusted sources until the underlying software vulnerabilities are patched. Regular maintenance cycles and prompt application of vendor-provided updates remain the most effective strategy for mitigating such web-based threats.