CVE-2026-65334 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 08/18/2026
A memory corruption issue was addressed with 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 memory corruption flaw within the WebKit rendering engine used by Apple's Safari browser on iOS and iPadOS devices running versions prior to 18.7.10, as well as macOS Tahoe systems before version 26.6.2. This specific issue stems from improper state management during the processing of web content, which can lead to undefined behavior in memory allocation or deallocation routines. When a user navigates to a webpage containing maliciously crafted HTML, JavaScript, or other embedded media formats, the browser attempts to parse and render this content. Due to the flawed state handling logic, the application may access invalid memory addresses or overwrite critical data structures that are not intended for modification by the rendering process. This type of error is commonly categorized under CWE-120 Buffer Overflow or CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write depending on the specific mechanics observed during exploitation attempts, though in this context it manifests primarily as a stability failure rather than immediate code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is characterized by an unexpected crash of the Safari application when processing specifically crafted web content. While the primary symptom is a denial of service resulting from application termination, memory corruption vulnerabilities often serve as precursors to more severe security breaches such as arbitrary code execution or privilege escalation if exploited in conjunction with other weaknesses. The fact that this issue requires user interaction via browsing suggests it falls under attack vectors where an attacker must lure a victim into visiting a malicious site, aligning with the ATT&CK technique of Initial Access through Spearphishing Link or Drive-by Compromise. Although no direct evidence of remote code execution is stated in the advisory, memory corruption issues are historically high-risk because they can potentially allow attackers to manipulate program flow if additional conditions like ASLR bypasses or specific heap layouts are present.
Apple has addressed this vulnerability by implementing improved state management mechanisms within WebKit. These enhancements likely involve stricter validation checks on internal data structures during parsing operations and ensuring that memory states remain consistent throughout the lifecycle of a web page load event. By correcting these logic errors, Apple prevents the browser from entering invalid states that could trigger crashes or potentially exploitable conditions. Users are strongly advised to update their devices to iOS 18.7.10, iPadOS 18.7.10, or macOS Tahoe 26.6.2 immediately to mitigate this risk. Additionally, organizations should enforce mobile device management policies that ensure timely patching of operating systems and browsers across all endpoints to reduce the window of exposure for such web-based attacks. Regular security awareness training for users regarding suspicious links can also serve as a complementary defense layer against exploitation attempts targeting this class of vulnerabilities.