CVE-2026-20700: Apple Multiple Products High-Severity Vulnerability

What is CVE-2026-20700?

A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved state management. This issue is fixed in iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3, macOS Tahoe 26.3, tvOS 26.3, visionOS 26.3, watchOS 26.3. An attacker with memory write capability may be able to execute arbitrary code. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been exploited in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals on versions of iOS before iOS 26. CVE-2025-14174 and CVE-2025-43529 were also issued in response to this report.

Technical Analysis

Weakness Classification

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-119 — Buffer Overflow. Operations on a memory buffer occur outside its intended boundaries, potentially leading to crashes, data corruption, or arbitrary code execution.

Attack Vector Breakdown

• Attack Vector: Local
• Attack Complexity: Low
• Privileges Required: Low
• User Interaction: None
• Scope: Unchanged
• Confidentiality: High
• Integrity: High
• Availability: High

Impact Analysis

Exploitation requires local access to the target system, such as a local user session or a malicious file opened by a user. The attack complexity is low, meaning exploitation does not depend on specialized conditions or race windows. Successful exploitation can result in full confidentiality breach (complete data disclosure), complete integrity compromise (data modification or code execution), total availability loss (denial of service). Operations on a memory buffer occur outside its intended boundaries, potentially leading to crashes, data corruption, or arbitrary code execution.

Exploitation Probability (EPSS): 0.46% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (64th percentile). While the base probability may appear low, inclusion in CISA KEV confirms real-world exploitation is already occurring.

Exploit Availability

Public exploit code or proof-of-concept is available for CVE-2026-20700. This significantly increases the risk of exploitation, as attackers can use or adapt existing exploit code rather than developing their own. A public exploit reference has been identified. Organizations should treat this as an urgent patching priority.

Is CVE-2026-20700 being exploited?

Yes. CVE-2026-20700 is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, restricted to CVEs with confirmed active exploitation in the wild. CISA added this vulnerability on 2026-02-12. Inclusion in KEV triggers the patching mandate under BOD 22-01 for U.S. federal civilian agencies, with a remediation deadline of 2026-03-05. Additionally, public exploit code is available, which lowers the barrier for attackers.

How to fix CVE-2026-20700

Update to the latest OS and software versions through System Settings > Software Update (macOS) or Settings > General > Software Update (iOS/iPadOS). For managed devices, deploy updates through MDM. Apple does not typically provide workarounds — updating is the primary remediation path. Check the Apple Security Releases page for the specific patch or update. CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog requires U.S. federal agencies to remediate this vulnerability by the due date shown below under Binding Operational Directive 22-01. Private organizations should treat KEV entries as priority-one patches because active exploitation has been confirmed in the wild.

Related Vulnerabilities

Other actively exploited vulnerabilities affecting Multiple Products or sharing the same weakness (CWE-119):

• CVE-2025-31277 (High 8.8) [same product + same CWE] — The issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in…
• CVE-2025-31200 (Critical 9.8) [same product + same CWE] — A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved bounds checking. This…
• CVE-2025-43510 (High 7.8) [same product] — A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved lock state checking…
• CVE-2025-43520 (Medium 5.5) [same product] — A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This…
• CVE-2023-43000 (High 8.8) [same product] — A use-after-free issue was addressed with improved memory management. This…

Frequently asked questions

Is CVE-2026-20700 critical?

CVE-2026-20700 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 — High severity. It should be treated as a priority patch, especially given the active exploitation confirmed by CISA. The availability of public exploit code further increases the urgency.

Is CVE-2026-20700 being actively exploited?

Yes — CISA added CVE-2026-20700 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-02-12. Inclusion in KEV means CISA has confirmed in-the-wild exploitation. Public exploit code has also been identified, making exploitation accessible to a broader range of threat actors.

How do I patch CVE-2026-20700?

Apply the security update from Apple for Multiple Products. Federal agencies must remediate by 2026-03-05 under BOD 22-01. Refer to the Apple Security Releases for the official patch.

What type of vulnerability is CVE-2026-20700?

CVE-2026-20700 is classified under CWE-119 (Buffer Overflow). Operations on a memory buffer occur outside its intended boundaries, potentially leading to crashes, data corruption, or arbitrary code execution.

What is the CVSS score for CVE-2026-20700?

CVE-2026-20700 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8, classifying it as High severity. The attack vector is Local, attack complexity is Low, and non-zero privileges are required.