---
id: "CVE-2026-86950"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-86950"]
title: "An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved bounds checking"
severity: "high"
cvss: 8.8
epss: null
exploited: true
status: "open"
category: "vendor"
products: [{"name": "Apple Multiple Products", "fixed": [], "affected": "", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "apple ipados", "fixed": ["26.7.1"], "affected": "< 26.7.1", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "apple iphone os", "fixed": ["26.7.1"], "affected": "< 26.7.1", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "apple macos", "fixed": ["15.8.1"], "affected": "< 15.8.1", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "apple macos", "fixed": ["26.7.1"], "affected": ">= 26.0, < 26.7.1", "ecosystem": "vendor"}]
ecosystems: ["vendor"]
tags: ["apple", "exploited", "ios", "ipados", "macos", "mobile-fleet", "vendor"]
not_affected_if: ["unaffected-os-version"]
published_at: "2026-09-28T20:17:11+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-10-23T19:11:50+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-10-23T23:44:52+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "kev", "url": "https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?search_api_fulltext=CVE-2026-86950", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T19:11:50+00:00"}, {"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-86950", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T23:44:52+00:00"}]
---

# An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved bounds checking

Apple iOS, macOS and iPadOS have an out-of-bounds write in CoreGraphics, the graphics framework that renders images and PDFs. An attacker who gets a crafted file or content processed can run arbitrary code, and CISA lists it as exploited in the wild.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## Affected

- vendor:Apple Multiple Products affected ? fixed ?
- vendor:apple ipados affected < 26.7.1 fixed 26.7.1
- vendor:apple iphone os affected < 26.7.1 fixed 26.7.1
- vendor:apple macos affected < 15.8.1 fixed 15.8.1
- vendor:apple macos affected >= 26.0, < 26.7.1 fixed 26.7.1

## How to check

Check the device OS version under Settings > General > About (iOS/iPadOS) or Apple menu > About This Mac (macOS) and compare it with the fixed version in Apple's security notes.

## Fix

Update iOS, iPadOS and macOS to the latest version Apple publishes with this CVE fix; the sources do not name the fixed version.
Follow CISA BOD 26-04 guidance for devices that cannot be patched.

## Timeline

- 2026-10-23T19:11:50+00:00 kev https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?search_api_fulltext=CVE-2026-86950
- 2026-10-23T23:44:52+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-86950

## Documents

- [discussion] CVE-2026-86950: The Great Glyph Grift https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50229452

## From the sources

Apple iOS, macOS, and iPadOS contain an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in CoreGraphics that may lead to arbitrary code execution.

CISA required action: Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for evaluating each asset's internet exposure and ensuring adherence to BOD 26-04 patching guidelines.

---

_Free to read at a human pace. An API with keys and an MCP server are in preparation; early access: hello@infrastack.ai_
