Actively exploited · Published Sep 28, 2026 · Assigned by apple
CVE-2026-86950
High 8.8 Exploited
In plain English
A high-severity out-of-bounds write in iOS and iPadOS from Apple. Attackers are actively exploiting it in the wild (listed by CISA on September 29, 2026). The chance it is exploited in the next 30 days is estimated at 26.2% (higher than 98% of all known vulnerabilities). Ready-made attack tooling exists: public proof-of-concept code. Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for evaluating each asset's internet exposure and ensuring adherence to BOD 26-04 patching guidelines.
CISA guidance
Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for evaluating each asset's internet exposure and ensuring adherence to BOD 26-04 patching guidelines.
Federal agencies must remediate by Oct 13, 2026.
Official description
An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved bounds checking. This issue is fixed in iOS 18.7.11 and iPadOS 18.7.11, iOS 26.7.1 and iPadOS 26.7.1, macOS Sequoia 15.8.1, macOS Tahoe 26.7.1. Processing a maliciously crafted file may lead to arbitrary code execution. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been exploited in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals on versions of iOS before iOS 27.
Affected products (as reported)
| Vendor | Product | Versions |
|---|---|---|
| Apple | iOS and iPadOS | 0 – before 18.7.110 – before 26.7.1 |
| Apple | macOS | 0 – before 15.8.10 – before 26.7.1 |
Weakness: CWE-787 · Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
References
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/149225
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/149226
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/149228
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/149229
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-86950 government-resource
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2026/Sep/89
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2026/Sep/90
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2026/Sep/91