# CVE-2026-84561: Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS double free in memory management

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-84561-apple-ios-ipados-macos-tvos-visionos-and-watchos-double-free-in  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-14. Updated: 2026-09-26  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-84561 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Published 2026-09-14

A memory management flaw in Apple operating systems allows applications to trigger unexpected system termination or corrupt kernel memory through a double free vulnerability. This could enable attackers to cause denial of service or potentially achieve unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. The vulnerability affects iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple TVs, Vision Pro devices, and Apple Watches.

Technologies: [Apple iPadOS](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/ipados), [Apple macOS Golden Gate](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/macos-golden-gate), [Apple macOS Sequoia](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/macos), [Apple Tvos](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/tvos), [Apple Visionos](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/visionos), [Apple watchOS](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/watchos). Vendors: [Apple](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/apple).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-84561 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-84561 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-84561?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.8, published 14 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Apple iPadOS prior to 26.7 and 27; Apple macOS Golden Gate prior to 27; Apple macOS Sequoia prior to 15.8; Apple macOS Tahoe prior to 26.7; and 3 more.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-84561?** A patch was published on 2026-09-14: Fixes available in iOS 26.7, iOS 27, iPadOS 26.7, iPadOS 27, macOS Golden Gate 27, macOS Sequoia 15.8, macOS Tahoe 26.7, tvOS 27, visionOS 27, watchOS 27 Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-84561 attacked?** It is attacked with local access.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-84561?** Check whether you run Apple iPadOS, Apple macOS Golden Gate, Apple macOS Sequoia or one of the others listed at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

A double free vulnerability was identified in the memory management subsystem across multiple Apple platforms. The vulnerability allows an application to trigger unexpected process termination or potentially corrupt kernel memory by exploiting improper handling of freed memory regions. This is a local attack vector requiring the attacker to execute code on the device. The issue has been addressed with improved memory management across iOS 26.7, iOS 27, iPadOS 26.7, iPadOS 27, macOS Golden Gate 27, macOS Sequoia 15.8, macOS Tahoe 26.7, tvOS 27, visionOS 27, and watchOS 27.

## Affected products

- Apple iOS prior to 26.7 and 27
- Apple iPadOS prior to 26.7 and 27
- Apple macOS Golden Gate prior to 27
- Apple macOS Sequoia prior to 15.8
- Apple macOS Tahoe prior to 26.7
- Apple tvOS prior to 27
- Apple visionOS prior to 27
- Apple watchOS prior to 27

## Timeline

- 2026-09-14: disclosed: Security advisory published
- 2026-09-14: patched: Fixes available in iOS 26.7, iOS 27, iPadOS 26.7, iPadOS 27, macOS Golden Gate 27, macOS Sequoia 15.8, macOS Tahoe 26.7, tvOS 27, visionOS 27, watchOS 27

## References

- [https://support.apple.com/en-us/149034](https://support.apple.com/en-us/149034)
- [https://support.apple.com/en-us/149035](https://support.apple.com/en-us/149035)

## Related threats

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