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

| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 9.4 | $25k-$100k | 0.00 |
Summary
A vulnerability identified as critical has been detected in Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS and watchOS up to 18.7.8/26.4. This issue affects some unknown processing of the component Kernel Memory Handler. The manipulation leads to use after free. This vulnerability is documented as CVE-2026-43668. The attack can be initiated remotely. There is not any exploit available. You should upgrade the affected component.
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 very critical. This issue affects some unknown functionality of the component Kernel Memory Handler. 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 confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:
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. A remote attacker may be able to cause unexpected system termination or corrupt kernel memory.
The advisory is shared at support.apple.com. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-43668 since 05/02/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack may be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is needed for a successful exploitation. Neither technical details nor an exploit are publicly available. The price for an exploit might be around USD $25k-$100k at the moment (estimation calculated on 05/12/2026).
Upgrading to version 18.7.9 or 26.5 eliminates this vulnerability.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
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: 9.8VulDB Meta Temp Score: 9.4
VulDB Base Score: 9.8
VulDB Temp Score: 9.4
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv2
| AV | AC | Au | C | I | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
| Vector | Complexity | Authentication | Confidentiality | Integrity | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
| Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
| Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
Exploiting
Class: Use after freeCWE: CWE-416 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒
Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes
Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒
| 0-Day | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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
05/02/2026 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-2026-43668 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-43668
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-362861
scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20180712
Entry
Created: 05/12/2026 04:22Changes: 05/12/2026 04:22 (57)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
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