CVE-2026-64692 Overview
CVE-2026-64692 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability [CWE-125] affecting multiple Apple operating systems. A malicious application can trigger the flaw to cause a denial-of-service condition on the affected device. Apple addressed the issue with improved bounds checking across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS.
The vulnerability requires local access and user interaction, and it does not provide a path to code execution or data integrity impact. Exploitation is limited to disrupting availability of the affected process or system.
Critical Impact
A locally installed application can read out-of-bounds memory to trigger a denial-of-service across the Apple device ecosystem, affecting iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple TVs, Apple Vision Pro, and Apple Watches.
Affected Products
- Apple iOS and iPadOS prior to 26.6
- Apple macOS Sequoia prior to 15.7.8, macOS Sonoma prior to 14.8.8, macOS Tahoe prior to 26.6
- Apple tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS prior to 26.6
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-07-27 - CVE-2026-64692 published to NVD
- 2026-07-29 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-64692
Vulnerability Analysis
The flaw is an out-of-bounds read [CWE-125] in an Apple operating system component. A malicious application reads memory beyond the intended buffer boundary, which destabilizes the process handling the input. The read of unmapped or invalid memory triggers a fault that terminates the affected process or produces a system-level denial-of-service.
The scope is limited to availability impact. The CVSS vector indicates high availability impact with no confidentiality or integrity consequences. User interaction is required, which typically means the target must launch or interact with the malicious app.
Apple has not published low-level technical details for the affected component. The advisories confirm the fix category as improved bounds checking, which is consistent with adding validation on offsets or lengths before memory access.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing or insufficient bounds validation on an index, offset, or size value used to access a memory buffer. When the untrusted value exceeds the buffer's allocated range, the read reaches memory outside the intended object. Improved bounds checking in the patched builds enforces the size constraint before the read occurs.
Attack Vector
An attacker delivers a crafted application to the target device. When executed, the app supplies inputs that drive the vulnerable code path into performing the out-of-bounds read. The result is a crash of the affected component and a denial-of-service. The attack requires local execution context on the device and does not escalate privileges or leak controlled data.
See the Apple security advisories for the list of impacted components and fixed builds. No public proof-of-concept or in-the-wild exploitation has been reported at this time.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-64692
Indicators of Compromise
- Repeated crash reports referencing the same system component, generated shortly after launching a third-party or sideloaded application
- ips crash log files in /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ or the iOS Analytics data with signatures indicating a bounds or memory access fault
- Presence of applications installed outside official channels or from untrusted developer profiles
Detection Strategies
- Monitor endpoint telemetry for repeated process termination and abnormal restart events on managed Apple devices
- Correlate application install events with subsequent crash reports on the same device within a short time window
- Ingest MDM crash and diagnostic feeds into centralized logging to identify clustered failures across the fleet
Monitoring Recommendations
- Review installed application inventories on managed devices and flag apps that are unsigned or lack notarization
- Track OS version compliance and identify endpoints that remain below the patched builds
- Alert on anomalous rates of application crashes tied to specific OS components after new app installations
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-64692
Immediate Actions Required
- Update all Apple devices to iOS 26.6, iPadOS 26.6, macOS Sequoia 15.7.8, macOS Sonoma 14.8.8, macOS Tahoe 26.6, tvOS 26.6, visionOS 26.6, or watchOS 26.6
- Prioritize devices that permit sideloading, developer mode, or installation of non-App Store applications
- Restrict installation of unvetted third-party applications through Mobile Device Management (MDM) policies
Patch Information
Apple released fixes in iOS 26.6, iPadOS 26.6, macOS Sequoia 15.7.8, macOS Sonoma 14.8.8, macOS Tahoe 26.6, tvOS 26.6, visionOS 26.6, and watchOS 26.6. Refer to the vendor advisories: Apple Support #128066, #128067, #128068, #128069, #128070, #128071, and #128072.
Workarounds
- Enforce App Store-only installation via MDM configuration profiles on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS
- Disable developer mode and remove untrusted configuration profiles on managed endpoints
- Uninstall any recently added third-party applications that correlate with process crash events until devices are patched
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
