Description
A buffer overflow issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5, macOS Sequoia 15.7.8, macOS Sonoma 14.8.8, macOS Tahoe 26.5, tvOS 26.5, watchOS 26.5. Processing a maliciously crafted image may corrupt process memory.
Published: 2026-05-11
Score: 7.5 High
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: n/a
Action: n/a
AI Analysis

Impact

The updated description confirms a buffer overflow in Apple’s image processing code, identified as CWE‑121, that can be triggered by a maliciously crafted image. When that image is processed, the overflow corrupts process memory, which could lead to crashes or other unintended behavior. This error undermines the integrity of the affected applications by permitting memory overwrites that might be used for more complex attacks if other weaknesses exist.

Affected Systems

Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS are affected. Device firmware versions earlier than iOS 26.5, iPadOS 26.5, macOS 26.5, tvOS 26.5, and watchOS 26.5 contain the vulnerability; the bug was addressed in those releases.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score is 7.5, indicating a high severity. The EPSS score of < 1% suggests that the probability of exploitation is currently very low, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog. Exploitation requires an attacker to supply a malicious image file, so the likely attack vector is local, via email, messaging, or other file delivery channels. Because the flaw can corrupt process memory, it poses a significant risk if an attacker can convince a user to open the file.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on July 30, 2026 at 00:20 UTC.

Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Upgrade the device to iOS 26.5, iPadOS 26.5, macOS 26.5, tvOS 26.5, watchOS 26.5 or later.
  • Apply any Apple security updates for all installed operating systems.
  • Until a patch is installed, avoid viewing or opening images from untrusted or unknown sources.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on July 30, 2026 at 00:20 UTC.

Tracking

Sign in to view the affected projects.

Advisories

No advisories yet.

History

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 00:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Apple Image Processing Buffer Overflow

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 20:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description A buffer overflow issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5, macOS Tahoe 26.5, tvOS 26.5, watchOS 26.5. Processing a maliciously crafted image may corrupt process memory. A buffer overflow issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5, macOS Sequoia 15.7.8, macOS Sonoma 14.8.8, macOS Tahoe 26.5, tvOS 26.5, watchOS 26.5. Processing a maliciously crafted image may corrupt process memory.
References

Tue, 12 May 2026 18:00:00 +0000

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:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:tvos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:watchos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Apple ipados
Apple iphone Os

Tue, 12 May 2026 17:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Buffer Overflow via Malicious Image Processing Leading to Memory Corruption

Tue, 12 May 2026 14:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

ssvc

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


Mon, 11 May 2026 23:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Buffer Overflow via Malicious Image Processing Leading to Memory Corruption
Weaknesses CWE-121

Mon, 11 May 2026 22:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Apple
Apple ios And Ipados
Apple macos
Apple tvos
Apple watchos
Vendors & Products Apple
Apple ios And Ipados
Apple macos
Apple tvos
Apple watchos

Mon, 11 May 2026 20:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description A buffer overflow issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5, macOS Tahoe 26.5, tvOS 26.5, watchOS 26.5. Processing a maliciously crafted image may corrupt process memory.
References

cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: apple

Published:

Updated: 2026-07-27T20:13:33.625Z

Reserved: 2026-05-01T22:46:21.639Z

Link: CVE-2026-43661

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-05-12T13:52:33.786Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Analyzed

Published: 2026-05-11T21:19:01.823

Modified: 2026-06-17T10:49:57.977

Link: CVE-2026-43661

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-07-30T00:30:05Z

Weaknesses
  • CWE-121

    Stack-based Buffer Overflow