CVE-2026-84492 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 09/15/2026
A race condition was addressed with improved state handling. This issue is fixed in iOS 26.7 and iPadOS 26.7, iOS 27 and iPadOS 27, macOS Golden Gate 27, macOS Sequoia 15.8, macOS Tahoe 26.7, tvOS 27, visionOS 27, watchOS 27. An app may be able to cause unexpected system termination.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2026
The vulnerability described constitutes a race condition within the operating system's state management logic, specifically affecting Apple platforms including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS. A race condition occurs when two or more threads access shared data concurrently, and at least one of them modifies it, leading to unpredictable outcomes depending on the timing of execution. In this context, the flaw lies in how the system handles state transitions during specific operations. The improved state handling implemented in the updates ensures that these critical sections are properly synchronized, preventing scenarios where an application can exploit a window of inconsistency between checking a condition and acting upon it. This type of defect is commonly categorized under CWE-362: Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization Race Condition, which highlights the failure to adequately protect shared resources from concurrent access that could lead to data corruption or unexpected behavior.
The operational impact of this vulnerability allows an untrusted application to trigger a denial-of-service condition against system components. By carefully crafting requests that exploit the timing gap in state handling, an attacker can cause the operating system to enter an invalid state, resulting in unexpected termination of critical processes or services. This aligns with MITRE ATT&CK technique T1499: Endpoint Denial of Service, where adversaries aim to disrupt availability by exhausting resources or causing crashes. The ability to force system termination undermines the reliability and stability of the device, potentially leading to data loss if unsaved work is involved or creating a persistent disruption that requires user intervention to restore functionality. While the description does not explicitly mention privilege escalation or remote code execution, the instability introduced can sometimes be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain to achieve more severe outcomes depending on the context and surrounding system configurations.
Mitigation for this issue relies entirely on applying the provided software updates across all affected platforms. Apple has addressed the root cause by refining the synchronization mechanisms within the state handling routines, ensuring that operations are atomic or properly locked during critical phases. Users should update their devices to iOS 26.7 and iPadOS 26.7, as well as versions for iOS 27 and iPadOS 27. For macOS environments, updates to Golden Gate 27, Sequoia 15.8, and Tahoe 26.7 are required. Similarly, tvOS 27, visionOS 27, and watchOS 27 must be installed on respective devices. Organizations should prioritize patching these endpoints to eliminate the race condition window. Additionally, implementing application sandboxing policies can limit the potential impact of any remaining or future vulnerabilities by restricting an app's ability to interact with critical system states directly. Regular monitoring for new security advisories and maintaining up-to-date firmware is essential to defend against such concurrency-related flaws that compromise system integrity.