Description

The issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in iOS 26.6.1 and iPadOS 26.6.1, macOS Tahoe 26.6.2. An app may be able to cause unexpected system termination or corrupt kernel memory.

Executive Summary

Technical Details

Mitigations

References

Additional Metadata

{
  "score": "6.5",
  "pubDate": "2026-08-17T22:17:23.933Z",
  "pubdate": "2026-08-17T22:17:23.933Z",
  "executiveSummary": "A memory handling vulnerability exists in the kernel component across multiple Apple operating systems, specifically affecting iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. The flaw allows a malicious application to induce unexpected system termination or execute arbitrary memory corruption within the kernel space.\nThe primary impact of this vulnerability is the compromise of system stability and potential escalation of privileges, as kernel memory corruption generally enables attackers to manipulate critical kernel structures, bypass security controls, or trigger persistent denial-of-service conditions via kernel panics.\nAffected products include iOS version 26.6.1, iPadOS version 26.6.1, and macOS Tahoe version 26.6.2. The risk implications are severe due to the privileged execution context of the kernel, meaning successful exploitation directly undermines the core security boundary of the operating system.\nAttacker capabilities involve the execution of a locally installed or running application that interfaces with vulnerable memory management routines. While specific pre-requisites such as execution context or initial access vectors are dictated by the application containment model, the ability to interact with the underlying memory subsystem enables the realization of the flaw.\nRemediation requires updating the affected operating systems to the patched versions where memory handling has been appropriately strengthened to prevent unsafe read and write operations.",
  "technicalDetails": "The root cause of the vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within the kernel subsystem, allowing untrusted input or operations originating from an application context to mishandle memory allocations, references, or bounds checks.\nThe vulnerable component resides within the kernel memory management architecture, which processes requests and manages object lifecycles. Flaws in these routines typically manifest as buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or out-of-bounds read and write primitives.\nExploitation occurs when an application executes a sequence of operations that triggers the flawed memory handling logic. Step-by-step, the attack flow begins with the execution of the malicious application within the operating environment. The application then interacts with the kernel through available system interfaces, APIs, or device drivers that utilize the vulnerable memory management functions.\nDue to the inadequate validation or synchronization in memory handling, the application induces a state where kernel memory is improperly allocated, referenced after deallocation, or overwritten beyond allocated boundaries. This targeted corruption alters critical kernel data structures, function pointers, or objects residing in kernel heap memory.\nThe payload behavior resulting from this corruption directly leads to either an immediate system crash due to invalid state detection, manifesting as unexpected system termination, or provides the primitives necessary for advanced post-exploitation impact, such as arbitrary kernel read and write capabilities.\nRegarding authentication and privilege requirements, the vulnerability can be leveraged by an app, implying that the execution context requires local code execution. Network exposure is indirect or non-existent unless chained with an initial remote code execution vector capable of deploying the application payload. Affected versions strictly encompass all builds prior to iOS 26.6.1, iPadOS 26.6.1, and macOS Tahoe 26.6.2."
}