CVE-2026-20640 is a vulnerability identified in Apple iOS and iPadOS that affects the iPhone Mirroring feature when connected to a Mac. The root cause is an inconsistent user interface state management flaw (CWE-703), which allows an attacker with physical access to the iPhone to take screenshots of sensitive data displayed during the mirroring session. This vulnerability does not require any privileges or user interaction, making it accessible to anyone with physical access to the device. The attacker can exploit this by initiating or manipulating the mirroring session to capture screen content without the device owner’s consent or knowledge. The issue was addressed by Apple in iOS and iPadOS 26.3 through improved state management that prevents unauthorized screenshot capture during mirroring. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.6, indicating medium severity, with the vector AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N, meaning the attack requires physical access, has low complexity, no privileges or user interaction, affects confidentiality with high impact, but does not affect integrity or availability. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and the affected versions are unspecified but presumed to be all versions prior to 26.3. This vulnerability is particularly relevant in scenarios where iPhones are physically accessible and connected to Macs, such as corporate environments, public kiosks, or shared workspaces.

The primary impact of CVE-2026-20640 is the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information through screenshots captured during iPhone Mirroring with a Mac. This can lead to confidentiality breaches, especially if sensitive corporate or personal data is displayed on the device during mirroring. Although the attack requires physical access, it does not require device unlocking or user interaction, increasing the risk in environments where devices are left unattended or accessible to unauthorized personnel. The integrity and availability of the device or data are not affected. For organizations, this vulnerability could lead to data leakage, compliance violations, and potential reputational damage if sensitive information is exposed. The risk is heightened in sectors with strict data privacy requirements, such as finance, healthcare, and government. However, the limited attack vector (physical access) and absence of remote exploitation reduce the overall threat level compared to remote vulnerabilities.

To mitigate CVE-2026-20640, organizations and users should promptly update all affected Apple devices to iOS and iPadOS version 26.3 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed. Physical security controls should be strengthened to prevent unauthorized access to devices, especially in shared or public environments. Policies should enforce locking devices when unattended and restricting mirroring capabilities to trusted Macs only. Additionally, organizations can disable or restrict the use of iPhone Mirroring features in sensitive environments through mobile device management (MDM) solutions. Monitoring and auditing mirroring sessions can help detect unauthorized activity. User education about the risks of leaving devices unattended while connected to external systems is also recommended. Since no known exploits exist, proactive patching and physical security remain the most effective defenses.