CVE-2026-86919 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/20/2026
A stack overflow was addressed with improved input validation. 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, visionOS 27. An attacker with a paired Bluetooth device may be able to execute arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2026
The vulnerability described involves a stack-based buffer overflow within the Bluetooth subsystem of Apple operating systems including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS. Stack overflows occur when a program writes more data to a fixed-length block of memory on the call stack than it can hold, causing adjacent memory locations to be overwritten with unintended values. In this specific instance, the flaw stems from insufficient input validation during the processing of Bluetooth-related commands or data structures. When an attacker possesses a paired Bluetooth device and is able to interact with the target system through that connection, they can craft maliciously formatted packets designed to exploit this lack of bounds checking. By sending carefully constructed data payloads over the Bluetooth interface, the attacker triggers the overflow condition, allowing them to overwrite critical stack memory such as return addresses or function pointers.
This technical flaw directly enables arbitrary code execution on the affected device. Once the stack is corrupted in a controlled manner, an attacker can redirect the program flow to execute injected shellcode or leverage existing executable modules within the system environment. The requirement for a paired Bluetooth connection implies that this vulnerability cannot be exploited remotely by any unauthenticated user across open networks but requires physical proximity and prior pairing authorization. This constraint limits the attack surface significantly compared to remote network exploits, yet it remains severe because trusted devices often operate with elevated privileges or access sensitive personal data stored on the device. The successful exploitation could lead to a complete compromise of the operating system integrity, allowing for unauthorized access to files, installation of persistent malware, or use of the device as part of a larger botnet infrastructure.
From an industry standard perspective, this vulnerability aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration identifier CWE-120, which classifies buffer copies without checking size limits into adjacent memory locations. The exploitation technique leverages stack-based overflow mechanisms to hijack control flow, corresponding to MITRE ATT&CK techniques such as Tactic TA0004 Privilege Escalation and potentially Technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter if the executed code involves scripting languages or system commands. Additionally, since Bluetooth is involved, it falls under network-based attack vectors where trusted connections are abused for lateral movement or initial access within a localized physical proximity context.
Mitigation strategies primarily rely on applying the vendor-provided software updates that address these issues in iOS 26.7 and iPadOS 26.7, as well as versions iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS Golden Gate 27, macOS Sequoia 15.8, macOS Tahoe 26.7, and visionOS 27. These updates implement improved input validation routines that enforce strict length checks on incoming Bluetooth data before it is processed by the underlying system components. Organizations should ensure all managed devices are updated to these patched versions immediately to close this attack vector. Furthermore, users should practice caution when pairing with unknown or untrusted Bluetooth peripherals and consider disabling automatic discovery features where possible to reduce exposure to potential exploitation attempts in public spaces. Regular patch management cycles remain essential for maintaining the security posture of mobile and desktop operating systems against such low-level memory corruption vulnerabilities.