CVE-2026-65415 in iPadOS
Summary
by MITRE • 09/15/2026
A race condition was addressed with additional validation. This issue is fixed in iOS 27 and iPadOS 27, macOS Golden Gate 27, tvOS 27, visionOS 27, watchOS 27. A local user may be able to cause unexpected system termination or read kernel memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2026
The disclosed vulnerability represents a classic race condition within the operating system's core components, specifically involving insufficient validation during concurrent access scenarios. Race conditions occur when software behavior depends on the relative timing of events, such as thread scheduling or interrupt ordering, and is often exploited by manipulating these timings to achieve an unintended state. In this instance, the lack of proper synchronization mechanisms allowed a local user to exploit the window between checking a condition and acting upon it. This flaw was addressed through additional validation steps that ensure data integrity and prevent access to resources before they are fully initialized or secured against concurrent modification. The fix has been implemented across multiple Apple platforms including iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS Golden Gate 27, tvOS 27, visionOS 27, and watchOS 27, indicating a systemic issue within the shared kernel infrastructure rather than an isolated application bug.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-362, which defines concurrent execution using shared resources with improper synchronization. The absence of robust locking mechanisms or atomic operations allowed attackers to interfere with critical system processes. By carefully crafting timing-based exploits, a local user could trigger the race condition before the operating system's security checks could take effect. This type of flaw is particularly dangerous because it does not require complex buffer overflow techniques but rather precise control over execution flow and memory access patterns. The vulnerability enables actions that are strictly prohibited under normal operational constraints, effectively bypassing standard privilege boundaries established by the kernel.
The operational impact of this race condition is severe, primarily due to its potential for both denial of service and unauthorized information disclosure. As noted in the advisory, a local user may be able to cause unexpected system termination. This corresponds to CWE-400, where uncontrolled resource consumption leads to system instability or crash. When the kernel enters an inconsistent state due to the race condition, it can trigger panic conditions that result in immediate rebooting of the device, disrupting availability for all users on the system. Furthermore, the ability to read kernel memory poses a significant confidentiality risk. Kernel space contains sensitive data such as cryptographic keys, process identifiers, and other privileged information. Accessing this memory allows an attacker to gather intelligence necessary for further exploitation or lateral movement within the network environment.
In terms of threat modeling, this vulnerability maps directly to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1055, which covers Process Injection and Memory Manipulation techniques used by adversaries to gain higher privileges or evade detection. Specifically, it relates to reading kernel memory as a means to extract credentials or system state information. The exploitation path typically involves local access, placing this within the context of initial compromise followed by privilege escalation attempts. Attackers with physical access or those who have already gained low-level user permissions can leverage this flaw to escalate their privileges significantly. This makes it a critical concern for environments where device security is paramount and where any breach could lead to broader systemic compromises.
Mitigation strategies primarily rely on the deployment of the provided software updates that contain the necessary validation fixes. Organizations should ensure that all devices running iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, or watchOS are updated to version 27 or later as soon as possible. For administrators managing large fleets of Apple devices, utilizing Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions can automate the distribution and enforcement of these updates. Additionally, implementing strict local access controls reduces the attack surface by limiting which users can execute code that might interact with kernel-level functions. Security monitoring tools should be configured to detect unusual system terminations or spikes in memory usage that could indicate an attempted exploitation of this race condition. Regular patch management cycles are essential to address such vulnerabilities before they can be widely exploited in the wild.