CVE-2026-86986: A use-after-free issue was addressed with improved memory management

Q: How do I fix CVE-2026-86986?

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

Q: Is CVE-2026-86986 being exploited?

CVE-2026-86986 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2026-86986 affect?

CVE-2026-86986 affects safari, ipados, iphone os. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). A use-after-free issue was addressed with improved memory management. This issue is fixed in Safari 27.2, iOS 26.7.2 and iPadOS 26.7.2, iOS 27.2 and iPadOS 27.2, macOS Golden Gate 27.2, visionOS 27.2. Processing maliciously crafted web cont

Q: How urgent is CVE-2026-86986?

Priority 33/100. High severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Routine

HIGH 7.5REMOTEUPGRADEUPGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2026-86986 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting safari, ipados, iphone os. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A use-after-free issue was addressed with improved memory management. This issue is fixed in Safari 27.2, iOS 26.7.2 and iPadOS 26.7.2, iOS 27.2 and iPadOS 27.2, macOS Golden Gate 27.2, visionOS 27.2. Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to an unexpected Safari crash.

Why this priority

High severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.2% (top 92%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-416
Published	2026-10-26
Last modified	2026-11-04

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

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-10-26 21:20 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-11-04 17:07 UTCUpdated Record last modified

apple safari UPGRADE

Affected: < 27.2

Fixed in: 27.2

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy safari || rpm -q safari || safari --version

2. UPGRADE to 27.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade safari

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade safari

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

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: >= 27.0 and < 27.2

Fixed in: 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 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.

Advisories and coverage

Research and news

Vulners Bulletins: CVE-2026-86986 2026-10-26

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-2026-86986?

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

Is CVE-2026-86986 being exploited?

CVE-2026-86986 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-2026-86986 affect?

CVE-2026-86986 affects safari, ipados, iphone os. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). A use-after-free issue was addressed with improved memory management. This issue is fixed in Safari 27.2, iOS 26.7.2 and iPadOS 26.7.2, iOS 27.2 and iPadOS 27.2, macOS Golden Gate 27.2, visionOS 27.2. Processing maliciously crafted web cont

How urgent is CVE-2026-86986?

Priority 33/100. High severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

iOS vulnerabilities · macOS vulnerabilities · Safari vulnerabilities · Apple Safari and WebKit vulnerabilities · iPadOS vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2024-27834 MEDIUM 5.5 UPGRADE UPGRADE The issue was addressed with improved checks
CVE-2024-54505 HIGH 8.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE A type confusion issue was addressed with improved memory handling
CVE-2026-86985 MEDIUM 6.5 UPGRADE UPGRADE This issue was addressed with improved input validation
CVE-2026-113952 MEDIUM 5.4 UPGRADE UPGRADE A logic issue was addressed with improved checks
CVE-2026-112684 MEDIUM 4.3 UPGRADE UPGRADE This issue was addressed through improved state management

References

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