CVE-2026-28969: An app may be able to cause unexpected system termination in Apple iOS and iPadOS
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, iOS 27 and iPadOS 27, macOS Golden Gate 27, macOS Sequoia 15.7.7, macOS Sequoia 15.8, macOS Sonoma 14.8.7, macOS Tahoe 26.5, macOS Tahoe 26.7, tvOS 26.5, tvOS 27, visionOS 26.5, visionOS 27, watchOS 26.5, watchOS 27. An app may be able to cause unexpected system termination.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability involves a use-after-free condition in Apple iOS and iPadOS, which could be triggered by a malicious app to cause unexpected system termination (crash). Apple fixed the issue by improving memory management in iOS 18.7.9 and iPadOS 18.7.9, as well as in other related Apple OS versions. The CVSS vector indicates the vulnerability is remotely exploitable without privileges or user interaction, with high confidentiality impact but no integrity or availability impact.
Potential Impact
An attacker controlling a malicious app could cause the affected Apple devices to unexpectedly terminate system processes, potentially leading to denial of service or disruption of normal device operation. The confidentiality impact is rated high, indicating potential exposure of sensitive information, but integrity and availability impacts are not indicated.
Mitigation Recommendations
Apple has released official fixes for this vulnerability in iOS 18.7.9, iPadOS 18.7.9, and other Apple operating systems. Users and administrators should apply these updates promptly to remediate the issue. Patch status is confirmed by the vendor advisory indicating the issue is fixed in these versions.
CVE-2026-28969: An app may be able to cause unexpected system termination in Apple iOS and iPadOS
Description
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, iOS 27 and iPadOS 27, macOS Golden Gate 27, macOS Sequoia 15.7.7, macOS Sequoia 15.8, macOS Sonoma 14.8.7, macOS Tahoe 26.5, macOS Tahoe 26.7, tvOS 26.5, tvOS 27, visionOS 26.5, visionOS 27, watchOS 26.5, watchOS 27. An app may be able to cause unexpected system termination.
CVSS v3.1
Score 7.5high
Affected software
Apple
iOS and iPadOS
Apple
macOS
Apple
tvOS
Apple
visionOS
Apple
watchOS
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability involves a use-after-free condition in Apple iOS and iPadOS, which could be triggered by a malicious app to cause unexpected system termination (crash). Apple fixed the issue by improving memory management in iOS 18.7.9 and iPadOS 18.7.9, as well as in other related Apple OS versions. The CVSS vector indicates the vulnerability is remotely exploitable without privileges or user interaction, with high confidentiality impact but no integrity or availability impact.
Potential Impact
An attacker controlling a malicious app could cause the affected Apple devices to unexpectedly terminate system processes, potentially leading to denial of service or disruption of normal device operation. The confidentiality impact is rated high, indicating potential exposure of sensitive information, but integrity and availability impacts are not indicated.
Mitigation Recommendations
Apple has released official fixes for this vulnerability in iOS 18.7.9, iPadOS 18.7.9, and other Apple operating systems. Users and administrators should apply these updates promptly to remediate the issue. Patch status is confirmed by the vendor advisory indicating the issue is fixed in these versions.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- apple
- Date Reserved
- 2026-03-03T16:36:03.992Z
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 6a02875ccbff5d86108b656b
Added to database: 05/12/2026, 01:50:20 UTC
Last enriched: 05/19/2026, 10:57:57 UTC
Last updated: 09/15/2026, 01:39:43 UTC
Views: 117
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