CVE-2026-20690: Processing an audio stream in a maliciously crafted media file may terminate the process in Apple iOS and iPadOS
CVE-2026-20690 is an out-of-bounds access vulnerability in Apple iOS and iPadOS that occurs when processing an audio stream in a maliciously crafted media file. This flaw may cause the affected process to terminate unexpectedly. Apple addressed this issue with improved bounds checking in iOS 18.7.7 and iPadOS 18.7.7, as well as in other related OS versions. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 6.5, indicating a medium severity level. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability involves an out-of-bounds access (CWE-125) triggered by processing an audio stream in a maliciously crafted media file on Apple iOS and iPadOS. The issue can cause the targeted process to terminate, resulting in a denial of service condition. Apple fixed the vulnerability by implementing improved bounds checking in iOS 18.7.7, iPadOS 18.7.7, and other related OS versions including macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5, reflecting a network attack vector with low attack complexity, no privileges required, user interaction needed, unchanged scope, no confidentiality or integrity impact, but high impact on availability.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may cause the affected process to terminate unexpectedly, leading to a denial of service condition on the device. There is no impact on confidentiality or integrity. No known exploits are reported in the wild.
Mitigation Recommendations
Apple has released official fixes for this vulnerability in iOS 18.7.7, iPadOS 18.7.7, and corresponding versions of macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS. Users and administrators should apply these updates to remediate the issue. Since this is not a cloud service, remediation depends on patching the affected devices. Patch status is confirmed by the vendor advisory.
CVE-2026-20690: Processing an audio stream in a maliciously crafted media file may terminate the process in Apple iOS and iPadOS
Description
CVE-2026-20690 is an out-of-bounds access vulnerability in Apple iOS and iPadOS that occurs when processing an audio stream in a maliciously crafted media file. This flaw may cause the affected process to terminate unexpectedly. Apple addressed this issue with improved bounds checking in iOS 18.7.7 and iPadOS 18.7.7, as well as in other related OS versions. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 6.5, indicating a medium severity level. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time.
CVSS v3.1
Score 6.5medium
Affected software
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability involves an out-of-bounds access (CWE-125) triggered by processing an audio stream in a maliciously crafted media file on Apple iOS and iPadOS. The issue can cause the targeted process to terminate, resulting in a denial of service condition. Apple fixed the vulnerability by implementing improved bounds checking in iOS 18.7.7, iPadOS 18.7.7, and other related OS versions including macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5, reflecting a network attack vector with low attack complexity, no privileges required, user interaction needed, unchanged scope, no confidentiality or integrity impact, but high impact on availability.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may cause the affected process to terminate unexpectedly, leading to a denial of service condition on the device. There is no impact on confidentiality or integrity. No known exploits are reported in the wild.
Mitigation Recommendations
Apple has released official fixes for this vulnerability in iOS 18.7.7, iPadOS 18.7.7, and corresponding versions of macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS. Users and administrators should apply these updates to remediate the issue. Since this is not a cloud service, remediation depends on patching the affected devices. Patch status is confirmed by the vendor advisory.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- apple
- Date Reserved
- 2025-11-11T14:43:07.876Z
- Cvss Version
- null
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 69c333d8f4197a8e3baae887
Added to database: 03/25/2026, 01:01:12 UTC
Last enriched: 05/26/2026, 20:16:19 UTC
Last updated: 07/31/2026, 19:22:57 UTC
Views: 113
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