iOS and iPadOS: Improper Initialization
CVE-2026-64775 is a critical-severity improper initialization vulnerability in iOS and iPadOS from Apple, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 26.6 as the first without the flaw, so updating iOS and iPadOS to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.66% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 52% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Update iOS and iPadOS to 26.6 or a later version.
- Update macOS to 14.8.8 or 15.7.8 or 26.6, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update tvOS to 26.6 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on support.apple.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | iOS and iPadOS | before 26.6 | 26.6 |
| Apple | macOS | before 14.8.8; before 15.7.8; before 26.6 | 14.8.8, 15.7.8, 26.6 |
| Apple | tvOS | before 26.6 | 26.6 |
| Apple | visionOS | before 26.6 | 26.6 |
| Apple | watchOS | before 26.6 | 26.6 |
| Apple | iPadOS | before 26.6 | 26.6 |
| Apple | Iphone OS | before 26.6 | 26.6 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CISA (ADP).
Official description
A memory initialization issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in iOS 26.6 and iPadOS 26.6, macOS Sequoia 15.7.8, macOS Sonoma 14.8.8, macOS Tahoe 26.6, tvOS 26.6, visionOS 26.6, watchOS 26.6. An app may be able to cause unexpected system termination.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Initialization
The product does not initialize or incorrectly initializes a resource.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use a language that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid. For example, in Java, if the programmer does not explicitly initialize a variable, then the code could produce a compile-time error (if the variable is local) or automatically initialize the variable to the default value for the variable's type. In Perl, if explicit initialization is not performed, then a default value of undef is assigned, which is interpreted as 0, false, or an equivalent value depending on the context in which the variable is accessed.
- Identify all variables and data stores that receive information from external sources, and apply input validation to make sure that they are only initialized to expected values.
- Explicitly initialize all your variables and other data stores, either during declaration or just before the first usage.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
- support.apple.com/en-us/128066Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/128067Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/128068Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/128069Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/128070Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/128071Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/128072Release Notes
Other vulnerabilities in iOS and iPadOS
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Improper Initialization vulnerabilities
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.