CVE-2026-20657: Parsing a maliciously crafted file may lead to an unexpected app termination in Apple iOS and iPadOS
A buffer overflow issue was addressed with improved memory handling. 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 Sonoma 14.8.5, macOS Tahoe 26.4, visionOS 26.4. Parsing a maliciously crafted file may lead to an unexpected app termination.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability involves a buffer overflow in Apple iOS and iPadOS that occurs when parsing specially crafted files, potentially leading to unexpected app termination. The underlying cause is improper memory handling, which has been corrected in the official patches released in iOS 18.7.7, iPadOS 18.7.7, and related OS versions. The CVSS score is 6.5 with an attack vector of network, low attack complexity, no privileges required, user interaction needed, and impact limited to availability (denial of service).
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation results in denial of service through unexpected termination of an application processing a malicious file. There is no impact on confidentiality or integrity. No known active exploits have been reported.
Mitigation Recommendations
A fix is available and has been released by Apple in iOS 18.7.7 and iPadOS 18.7.7. Users and administrators should apply these updates promptly to remediate the vulnerability. No additional mitigation steps are indicated by the vendor advisory.
CVE-2026-20657: Parsing a maliciously crafted file may lead to an unexpected app termination in Apple iOS and iPadOS
Description
A buffer overflow issue was addressed with improved memory handling. 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 Sonoma 14.8.5, macOS Tahoe 26.4, visionOS 26.4. Parsing a maliciously crafted file may lead to an unexpected app termination.
CVSS v3.1
Score 6.5medium
Affected software
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability involves a buffer overflow in Apple iOS and iPadOS that occurs when parsing specially crafted files, potentially leading to unexpected app termination. The underlying cause is improper memory handling, which has been corrected in the official patches released in iOS 18.7.7, iPadOS 18.7.7, and related OS versions. The CVSS score is 6.5 with an attack vector of network, low attack complexity, no privileges required, user interaction needed, and impact limited to availability (denial of service).
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation results in denial of service through unexpected termination of an application processing a malicious file. There is no impact on confidentiality or integrity. No known active exploits have been reported.
Mitigation Recommendations
A fix is available and has been released by Apple in iOS 18.7.7 and iPadOS 18.7.7. Users and administrators should apply these updates promptly to remediate the vulnerability. No additional mitigation steps are indicated by the vendor advisory.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- apple
- Date Reserved
- 2025-11-11T14:43:07.865Z
- Cvss Version
- null
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 69c333d6f4197a8e3baae831
Added to database: 03/25/2026, 01:01:10 UTC
Last enriched: 05/12/2026, 05:24:53 UTC
Last updated: 07/31/2026, 19:22:57 UTC
Views: 83
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