Apple iOS/iPadOS/macOS/tvOS/visionOS/watchOS up to 18.7.8/26.4 App use after free

| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 5.3 | $5k-$25k | 0.00 |
Summary
A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS and watchOS up to 18.7.8/26.4. The affected element is an unknown function of the component App. Such manipulation leads to use after free. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-28969. Local access is required to approach this attack. No exploit exists. Upgrading the affected component is advised.
Details
A vulnerability was found in Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS and watchOS up to 18.7.8/26.4. It has been rated as critical. Affected by this issue is an unknown function of the component App. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. Impacted is availability. CVE summarizes:
A use after free issue was addressed with improved memory management. This issue is fixed in iOS 18.7.9 and iPadOS 18.7.9, iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5, macOS Sequoia 15.7.7, macOS Sonoma 14.8.7, macOS Tahoe 26.5, tvOS 26.5, visionOS 26.5, watchOS 26.5. An app may be able to cause unexpected system termination.
The advisory is shared for download at support.apple.com. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2026-28969 since 03/03/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack needs to be approached locally. There are neither technical details nor an exploit publicly available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $5k-$25k (estimation calculated on 05/12/2026).
Upgrading to version 18.7.9 or 26.5 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: 5.5VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.3
VulDB Base Score: 5.5
VulDB Temp Score: 5.3
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
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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| Today | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
Threat Intelligence
Interest: 🔍Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍
Countermeasures
Recommended: UpgradeStatus: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔒
Upgrade: iOS/iPadOS/macOS/tvOS/visionOS/watchOS 18.7.9/26.5
Timeline
03/03/2026 CVE reserved05/12/2026 Advisory disclosed
05/12/2026 VulDB entry created
05/12/2026 VulDB entry last update
Sources
Vendor: apple.comAdvisory: support.apple.com
Status: Confirmed
CVE: CVE-2026-28969 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-28969
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-362852
scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20180712
Entry
Created: 05/12/2026 04:20Changes: 05/12/2026 04:20 (57)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
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