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CVE-2026-86972: A buffer overflow was addressed with improved size validation

30
Routine
HIGH 7.8UPGRADEUPGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2026-86972 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting ipados, iphone os, macos. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A buffer overflow was addressed with improved size validation. This issue is fixed in iOS 26.7.2 and iPadOS 26.7.2, iOS 27.2 and iPadOS 27.2, macOS Golden Gate 27.2, macOS Tahoe 26.7.2, tvOS 27.2, visionOS 27.2, watchOS 27.2. Processing a maliciously crafted audio file may lead to memory corruption.

Why this priority

  • High severity

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score7.8 (High)
Attack vectorLocal
Attack complexityLow
Privileges neededLow
User interactionNone
EPSS exploit chance0.2% (top 91%)
CISA exploited listNo
WeaknessCWE-120
Published2026-10-26
Last modified2026-11-04
Publisher (CNA): Apple Inc. · Vendor: apple

Share: LinkedIn · X · Reddit

Last updated 2026-11-04 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

apple ipados UPGRADE
Affected: < 26.7.2 · >= 27.0 and < 27.2
Fixed in: 26.7.2, 27.2
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 27.0
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.
apple iphone os UPGRADE
Affected: < 26.7.2 · >= 27.0 and < 27.2
Fixed in: 26.7.2, 27.2
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 27.0
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.
apple macos UPGRADE
Affected: < 26.7.2 · >= 27.0 and < 27.2
Fixed in: 26.7.2, 27.2
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 27.0
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.
apple tvos UPGRADE
Affected: < 27.2
Fixed in: 27.2
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 visionos UPGRADE
Affected: < 27.2
Fixed in: 27.2
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 watchos UPGRADE
Affected: < 27.2
Fixed in: 27.2
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.

Advisories and coverage

Research and news

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · 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.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2026-86972?

ipados: upgrade to 26.7.2, 27.2; iphone os: upgrade to 26.7.2, 27.2; macos: upgrade to 26.7.2, 27.2. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-86972 being exploited?

CVE-2026-86972 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2026-86972 affect?

CVE-2026-86972 affects ipados, iphone os, macos. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). A buffer overflow was addressed with improved size validation. This issue is fixed in iOS 26.7.2 and iPadOS 26.7.2, iOS 27.2 and iPadOS 27.2, macOS Golden Gate 27.2, macOS Tahoe 26.7.2, tvOS 27.2, visionOS 27.2, watchOS 27.2. Processing a m

How urgent is CVE-2026-86972?

Priority 30/100. High severity

Software pages

iOS vulnerabilities · macOS vulnerabilities · iPadOS vulnerabilities · watchOS vulnerabilities · tvOS vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

References

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