CVE-2026-28941

Denial of Service and Potential Memory Disclosure via Malicious File Processing

Published May 11, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 7.1 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
The issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in iOS 18.7.9 and iPadOS 18.7.9, macOS Sequoia 15.7.7, macOS Tahoe 26.5. Processing a maliciously crafted file may lead to a denial-of-service or potentially disclose memory contents.

Analysis

AI-generated

Technical impact

This issue arises from insufficient validation when processing a specially crafted file, potentially causing the system to crash or revealing sensitive memory contents. The vulnerability can result in a denial‑of‑service condition or, in the worst case, information disclosure, compromising data confidentiality. No code execution attack is reported.

Affected Systems

Apple iOS and iPadOS devices are affected, as are macOS systems running Sequoia 15.7.7 or Tahoe 26.5. Applications or system components that handle user‑supplied files on these platforms could trigger the flaw before the 18.7.9 (iOS/iPadOS) or 15.7.7/26.5 (macOS) updates are installed.

Risk and Exploitability

Deploying a maliciously crafted file to the device is required; it does not depend on remote network access. The CVSS score of 7.1 reflects a high severity. The EPSS score of 0.00017 indicates a very low probability of exploitation, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog. Nevertheless, the possibility of denial of service or memory exposure still poses an operational risk until the vendor’s update is applied.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Install the official updates to iOS 18.7.9, iPadOS 18.7.9, macOS Sequoia 15.7.7, and macOS Tahoe 26.5
  • Temporarily restrict or uninstall third‑party applications that process user‑supplied files until the system updates are applied
  • Ensure that Gatekeeper and other macOS integrity‑protection features remain enabled to prevent unsigned or untrusted code from executing

Generated by OpenCVE AI on May 13, 2026 at 00:24 UTC.

Tracking

Sign in to view the affected projects.

Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Apple ipados
Apple iphone Os
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:apple:ipados:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Apple ipados
Apple iphone Os
Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Denial of Service and Potential Memory Disclosure via Malicious File Processing
Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Denial‑of‑Service or Memory Disclosure via Malicious File Processing in iOS, iPadOS, and macOS
Weaknesses CWE-125
CWE-200
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-119
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.1, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:H'}

ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Denial‑of‑Service or Memory Disclosure via Malicious File Processing in iOS, iPadOS, and macOS
Weaknesses CWE-125
CWE-200
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Apple
Apple ios And Ipados
Apple macos
Vendors & Products Apple
Apple ios And Ipados
Apple macos
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description The issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in iOS 18.7.9 and iPadOS 18.7.9, macOS Sequoia 15.7.7, macOS Tahoe 26.5. Processing a maliciously crafted file may lead to a denial-of-service or potentially disclose memory contents.
References
Weaknesses
  • CWE-119

    Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
apple
Published
Updated
May 12, 2026, 8:38 PM
Reserved
Mar 3, 2026, 4:36 PM
Status
Analyzed
Published
May 11, 2026, 9:18 PM
Modified
Oct 26, 2026, 6:10 PM