CVE-2026-64715: Apple Safari Use-After-Free Vulnerability

CVE-2026-64715 Overview

CVE-2026-64715 is a use-after-free vulnerability [CWE-416] affecting Apple Safari, iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. The flaw resides in web content processing, where improper memory management allows freed memory to be referenced during rendering of maliciously crafted web content. Successful exploitation leads to an unexpected process crash on the target device. Apple addressed the issue with improved memory management in Safari 26.6.1, iOS and iPadOS 18.7.10, iOS and iPadOS 26.6.1, and macOS Tahoe 26.6.2.

Critical Impact
Remote attackers can trigger a process crash by luring users to a malicious website, disrupting availability of the browser and dependent workflows.

Affected Products

Apple Safari (prior to 26.6.1)
Apple iOS and iPadOS (prior to 18.7.10 and 26.6.1)
Apple macOS Tahoe (prior to 26.6.2)

Discovery Timeline

2026-08-17 - CVE-2026-64715 published to NVD
2026-08-18 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-64715

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is a use-after-free condition in Apple's web content processing pipeline, shared across Safari and the WebKit-backed browsers on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. A use-after-free occurs when code references a memory region after it has been released back to the allocator. When an attacker controls the timing and content of allocations, the dangling pointer can dereference attacker-influenced data.

In this case, processing maliciously crafted web content triggers the unsafe reference. The documented impact is an unexpected process crash, indicating a denial-of-service outcome against the WebContent process. Apple did not disclose evidence of code execution or arbitrary read/write primitives associated with this identifier. User interaction is required, since a victim must load the malicious page or content in an affected client.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper memory management within the web content handling code path. An object is freed while another code path retains a reference to it, and the subsequent dereference operates on invalid memory. Apple's advisory describes the fix as "improved memory management," typically involving corrected object lifetime tracking or reference counting.

Attack Vector

Exploitation is network-based and requires the victim to visit an attacker-controlled page or open crafted web content in an affected Apple client. No privileges are required on the target. Successful triggering crashes the rendering process. Refer to the Apple Support Document #148281, #148282, #148286, and #148287 for vendor-supplied technical context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-64715

Indicators of Compromise

Repeated crashes of Safari or WebKit-based WebContent processes on macOS, iOS, or iPadOS shortly after visiting an untrusted URL.
Crash reports in ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ on macOS referencing WebKit modules and EXC_BAD_ACCESS signatures.
Outbound connections from browser processes to newly registered or low-reputation domains preceding crash events.

Detection Strategies

Correlate browser process termination events with recent DNS resolutions and HTTP(S) requests to identify potential exploitation attempts.
Monitor endpoint telemetry for unusual crash frequency in com.apple.WebKit.WebContent and Safari helper processes.
Alert on Safari and system versions that remain below the patched baselines across the managed fleet.

Monitoring Recommendations

Ingest macOS unified logs and crash diagnostics into a central SIEM for pattern analysis across endpoints.
Track Safari and OS build versions via MDM inventory to identify unpatched devices.
Maintain threat intelligence feeds for URLs and domains associated with WebKit exploitation campaigns.

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-64715

Immediate Actions Required

Update Safari to 26.6.1 on all supported macOS versions.
Upgrade iOS and iPadOS devices to 18.7.10 or 26.6.1, depending on the current major release train.
Apply macOS Tahoe 26.6.2 to affected desktop and laptop systems.
Prioritize patching for users who handle sensitive workloads or browse externally sourced content.

Patch Information

Apple released fixes across four advisories: Apple Support Document #148281, #148282, #148286, and #148287. The fixed versions are Safari 26.6.1, iOS and iPadOS 18.7.10, iOS and iPadOS 26.6.1, and macOS Tahoe 26.6.2.

Workarounds

Restrict browsing to trusted sites until patches are deployed on all managed endpoints.
Enforce content filtering at the network egress to block known malicious domains and newly registered domains.
Use MDM policies to require the fixed OS and Safari versions before allowing access to corporate resources.

bash

# Verify Safari and macOS versions on managed endpoints
sw_vers -productVersion
defaults read /Applications/Safari.app/Contents/Info.plist CFBundleShortVersionString