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Kernel input sanitization flaw in Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS

IdentifiersCVE-2026-43724CWE-20

CVE-2026-43724 is a kernel vulnerability in Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS Tahoe. Apple states that the issue was addressed with improved input sanitization and that a malicious app may be able to cause unexpected system termination or write kernel memory. The flaw affects the Kernel component and was fixed in iOS 26.5.2, iPadOS 26.5.2, and macOS Tahoe 26.5.2. Based on the vendor description, the vulnerability is consistent with improper input validation/sanitization in kernel-facing handling reachable by an application, resulting in kernel memory write capability or a kernel panic/system crash condition.

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ANALYST BRIEF

Impact, mitigation & remediation

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Impact

What an attacker gets, and what they’ve been doing with it.

Successful exploitation could allow a malicious local application to destabilize the operating system by triggering unexpected system termination, or to perform unauthorized writes to kernel memory. Kernel memory write primitives can undermine kernel integrity and may enable more severe follow-on impacts such as privilege escalation or broader compromise of the affected device, although Apple's published description does not explicitly confirm arbitrary code execution.

Mitigation

If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.

If immediate patching is not possible, reduce exposure by limiting installation and execution of untrusted or unnecessary applications, enforcing application control and mobile device management policies where available, and restricting users from sideloading or otherwise running untrusted code. No vendor-specific workaround beyond installing the fixed releases is provided in the available content.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Apply Apple's fixes by upgrading affected systems to iOS 26.5.2, iPadOS 26.5.2, or macOS Tahoe 26.5.2, where the issue was remediated through improved input sanitization in the Kernel component.
PUBLIC EXPLOITS

Exploits

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VALID 0 / 0 TOTALView more in app

No public exploit code observed for this vulnerability.

EXPOSURE SURFACE

Affected products & vendors

Products and vendors Mallory has correlated with this vulnerability. Open in Mallory to drill down to specific CPE configurations and version ranges.

VendorProductType
AppleIosoperating_system
AppleIpadosoperating_system
AppleMacos Tahoeoperating_system

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What this page doesn’t show

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Exposure mapping

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Threat actor evidence

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Associated malware

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Detection signatures

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Vendor-by-vendor mapping

Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.

Social activity4

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