CVE-2026-86950: Apple Multiple Products Out-of-Bounds Write Vulnerability

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HIGH 8.8EXPLOITEDUPGRADEUPGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2026-86950 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.8) affecting ipados, iphone os, macos, reported as exploited in the wild. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved bounds checking. This issue is fixed in 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.

Why this priority

High severity
Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV)
Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.8 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	1.2% (top 31%)
CISA exploited list	Yes, fix due 2026-10-13
Weakness	CWE-787
Published	2026-09-28
Last modified	2026-10-01

Publisher (CNA): Apple Inc. · Vendor: apple

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-09-28 20:17 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-09-29Exploited Added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list
2026-10-01 18:17 UTCUpdated Record last modified
2026-10-13Deadline CISA due date for US federal agencies to patch

apple ipados UPGRADE

Affected: < 26.7.1

Fixed in: 26.7.1

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

apple iphone os UPGRADE

Affected: < 26.7.1

Fixed in: 26.7.1

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

apple macos UPGRADE

Affected: < 15.8.1 · >= 26.0 and < 26.7.1

Fixed in: 15.8.1, 26.7.1

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 26.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

Exact fixes by distribution

Fedora 46 · retext · FIXED · 8.1.0-1.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-0602a84203 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-0602a84203

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

GitHub PoC: msuiche/hotcell (10 stars)
GitHub PoC: decalage2/detect_CVE-2026-86950 (6 stars)
GitHub PoC: 34zY/CVE-2026-86950 (1 stars)

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · CISA KEV catalog · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-65329 MEDIUM 5.9 UPGRADE UPGRADE An authentication issue was addressed with improved state management
CVE-2026-64760 MEDIUM 5.5 UPGRADE UPGRADE An information leakage was addressed with additional validation

References

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