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CVE-2026-86988: The issue was addressed with improved checks

23
Routine
MEDIUM 4.3UPGRADEUPGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2026-86988 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.3) affecting ipados, iphone os, macos. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in iOS 27.2 and iPadOS 27.2, macOS Golden Gate 27.2, tvOS 27.2, visionOS 27.2, watchOS 27.2. Processing a maliciously crafted image may result in disclosure of process memory.

Why this priority

  • No elevated risk signals yet

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score4.3 (Medium)
Attack vectorNetwork (remote)
Attack complexityLow
Privileges neededNone
User interactionRequired
EPSS exploit chance0.4% (top 68%)
CISA exploited listNo
WeaknessCWE-119
Published2026-10-26
Last modified2026-11-03
Publisher (CNA): Apple Inc. · Vendor: apple

Share: LinkedIn · X · Reddit

Last updated 2026-11-03 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

apple ipados 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 iphone os 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 macos 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 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-2026-86988?

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

Is CVE-2026-86988 being exploited?

CVE-2026-86988 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-2026-86988 affect?

CVE-2026-86988 affects ipados, iphone os, macos. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.3). The issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in iOS 27.2 and iPadOS 27.2, macOS Golden Gate 27.2, tvOS 27.2, visionOS 27.2, watchOS 27.2. Processing a maliciously crafted image may result in disclosure of process memory

How urgent is CVE-2026-86988?

Priority 23/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Software pages

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

Related CVEs

References

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