CVE-2026-20687 Use after free in iOS and iPadOS
An app can trigger a use-after-free flaw to cause system termination or write kernel memory, requiring OS updates.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- A user has to click or open something
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2026-20687?
CVE-2026-20687 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Apple Ipados, published on 25 Mar 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Official description
A use after free issue was addressed with improved memory management. This issue is fixed in iOS 18.7.7 and iPadOS 18.7.7, iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4, macOS Sequoia 15.7.5, macOS Tahoe 26.4, tvOS 26.4, watchOS 26.4. An app may be able to cause unexpected system termination or write kernel memory.
Weakness: CWE-416
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-20687?
It affects 5 products.
Products include Apple Ipados, Apple Iphone Os, Apple Macos, Apple Tvos, Apple Watchos.
How do I fix CVE-2026-20687?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-20687 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade to the fixed version. These bugs are found with fuzzing and sanitisers and avoided by memory-safe languages. More about Use after free.
Is CVE-2026-20687 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-20687 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Public exploit code: 2 proofs of concept on GitHub.
Other vulnerabilities in Apple Ipados
- CVE-2025-43300 Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS Out-of-Bounds Write
- CVE-2025-24201 Apple Multiple Products WebKit Out-of-Bounds Write
- CVE-2025-24085 Apple Multiple Products Use-After-Free
- CVE-2025-31200 Apple Multiple Products Memory Corruption
- CVE-2025-31201 Apple Multiple Products Arbitrary Read and Write
Sources
Also known as GHSA-c4px-j3mf-78gh.