CVE-2026-28990: Processing a maliciously crafted image may corrupt process memory in Apple iOS and iPadOS
CVE-2026-28990 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Apple iOS and iPadOS, where processing a maliciously crafted image may corrupt process memory. This issue is addressed by improved memory handling and fixed in iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5, as well as several other Apple operating system versions. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7.5, indicating a significant impact on confidentiality without requiring user interaction or privileges. No known exploits are reported in the wild at this time.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability (CVE-2026-28990) involves a memory corruption issue triggered by processing specially crafted images on Apple iOS and iPadOS devices. The underlying cause relates to improper memory handling (CWE-119). The flaw allows an attacker to corrupt process memory, potentially leading to confidentiality breaches. Apple has fixed the issue in iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5, along with updates to macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS. The CVSS 3.1 vector indicates network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges or user interaction required, and high confidentiality impact.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to corrupt process memory, resulting in unauthorized disclosure of information (confidentiality impact). The vulnerability does not impact integrity or availability according to the CVSS vector. There are no known exploits in the wild currently.
Mitigation Recommendations
Apple has released official fixes for this vulnerability in iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5. Users and administrators should apply these updates promptly to remediate the issue. Since this is not a cloud service, remediation depends on updating affected devices. Patch status is confirmed by the vendor advisory stating the issue is fixed in these versions.
CVE-2026-28990: Processing a maliciously crafted image may corrupt process memory in Apple iOS and iPadOS
Description
CVE-2026-28990 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Apple iOS and iPadOS, where processing a maliciously crafted image may corrupt process memory. This issue is addressed by improved memory handling and fixed in iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5, as well as several other Apple operating system versions. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7.5, indicating a significant impact on confidentiality without requiring user interaction or privileges. No known exploits are reported in the wild at this time.
CVSS v3.1
Score 7.5high
Affected software
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability (CVE-2026-28990) involves a memory corruption issue triggered by processing specially crafted images on Apple iOS and iPadOS devices. The underlying cause relates to improper memory handling (CWE-119). The flaw allows an attacker to corrupt process memory, potentially leading to confidentiality breaches. Apple has fixed the issue in iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5, along with updates to macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS. The CVSS 3.1 vector indicates network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges or user interaction required, and high confidentiality impact.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to corrupt process memory, resulting in unauthorized disclosure of information (confidentiality impact). The vulnerability does not impact integrity or availability according to the CVSS vector. There are no known exploits in the wild currently.
Mitigation Recommendations
Apple has released official fixes for this vulnerability in iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5. Users and administrators should apply these updates promptly to remediate the issue. Since this is not a cloud service, remediation depends on updating affected devices. Patch status is confirmed by the vendor advisory stating the issue is fixed in these versions.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- apple
- Date Reserved
- 2026-03-03T16:36:03.995Z
- Cvss Version
- null
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a028760cbff5d86108b6756
Added to database: 05/12/2026, 01:50:24 UTC
Last enriched: 05/19/2026, 10:58:23 UTC
Last updated: 07/31/2026, 19:22:58 UTC
Views: 124
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