Apple iOS/iPadOS/macOS/tvOS/watchOS up to 18.7.6/26.3 Kernel Memory use after free

| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 7.3 | $5k-$25k | 0.00 |
Summary
A vulnerability was found in Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS and watchOS up to 18.7.6/26.3. It has been declared as critical. Impacted is an unknown function of the component Kernel Memory Handler. Executing a manipulation can lead to use after free. This vulnerability appears as CVE-2026-20687. The attack requires local access. There is no available exploit. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.
Details
A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS and watchOS up to 18.7.6/26.3. This vulnerability affects some unknown processing of the component Kernel Memory Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:
A use after free issue was addressed with improved memory management. This issue is fixed in iOS 18.7.7 and iPadOS 18.7.7, iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4, macOS Sequoia 15.7.5, macOS Tahoe 26.4, tvOS 26.4, watchOS 26.4. An app may be able to cause unexpected system termination or write kernel memory.
The advisory is available at support.apple.com. This vulnerability was named CVE-2026-20687 since 11/11/2025. The exploitation appears to be easy. Local access is required to approach this attack. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not available. The structure of the vulnerability defines a possible price range of USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 03/29/2026).
Upgrading to version 18.7.7 or 26.4 eliminates this vulnerability.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Product
Type
Vendor
Name
Version
License
Website
- Vendor: https://www.apple.com/
CPE 2.3
CPE 2.2
CVSSv4
VulDB Vector: 🔒VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv3
VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.4VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.3
VulDB Base Score: 7.8
VulDB Temp Score: 7.5
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
ADP CISA Base Score: 7.1
ADP CISA Vector: 🔒
CVSSv2
| AV | AC | Au | C | I | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
| Vector | Complexity | Authentication | Confidentiality | Integrity | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
Exploiting
Class: Use after freeCWE: CWE-416 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒
Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No
Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒
| 0-Day | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
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Threat Intelligence
Interest: 🔍Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍
Countermeasures
Recommended: UpgradeStatus: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔒
Upgrade: iOS/iPadOS/macOS/tvOS/watchOS 18.7.7/26.4
Timeline
11/11/2025 CVE reserved03/25/2026 Advisory disclosed
03/25/2026 VulDB entry created
03/29/2026 VulDB entry last update
Sources
Vendor: apple.comAdvisory: support.apple.com
Status: Confirmed
CVE: CVE-2026-20687 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-20687
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-352918
scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20180712
Entry
Created: 03/25/2026 07:35Updated: 03/29/2026 17:13
Changes: 03/25/2026 07:35 (57), 03/29/2026 17:13 (12)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216:5EF:103
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