---
id: "CVE-2026-86972"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-86972"]
title: "Apple iOS and macOS: crafted audio file can corrupt memory"
severity: "unknown"
cvss: null
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: []
ecosystems: []
tags: ["apple-devices", "infrastructure", "ios", "ipados", "macos", "tvos", "visionos", "watchos"]
not_affected_if: ["already-on-fixed-version"]
published_at: "2026-10-26T21:20:35+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-10-26T21:55:22+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-10-26T21:56:37+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-86972", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-26T21:55:22+00:00"}]
---

# Apple iOS and macOS: crafted audio file can corrupt memory

A buffer overflow in Apple's audio processing lets a maliciously crafted audio file corrupt memory on Apple devices. Memory corruption of this kind can let an attacker run code or crash the affected component, though the sources do not state which.

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

## How to check

- Check the OS version on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Vision Pro or Apple Watch under Settings > General > About (or About This Mac) and compare with the fixed versions.
- unknown for any command-line check; the sources do not say.

## Fix

- Update iOS and iPadOS to `26.7.2` or `27.2`.
- Update macOS Tahoe to `26.7.2` or macOS Golden Gate to `27.2`.
- Update tvOS, visionOS and watchOS to `27.2`.

## Timeline

- 2026-10-26T21:55:22+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-86972

## From the sources

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.

---

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