Executive brief
The Accelerate Framework is a core component used by iOS, iPadOS, macOS, visionOS, and watchOS to optimize performance-critical image and signal processing. A heap buffer overflow in this framework allows attackers to trigger a denial-of-service condition by processing specially crafted image files, causing unexpected app or system termination.
Technical details
A heap buffer overflow vulnerability exists in Apple's Accelerate Framework due to insufficient bounds checking during image processing. The vulnerability is triggered when processing a maliciously crafted image file, allowing an attacker to write out-of-bounds to heap memory. The attack requires user interaction (opening or processing a malicious file) but does not require authentication or elevated privileges. Successful exploitation results in unexpected process termination (denial of service); the advisory does not indicate arbitrary code execution capability. Apple addressed this issue with improved bounds checking in iOS 26.7, iPadOS 26.7, iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS Golden Gate 27, visionOS 27, and watchOS 27 (released September 14, 2026).
Affected products
- Apple iOS before 26.7, before 27
- Apple iPadOS before 26.7, before 27
- Apple macOS before Golden Gate 27
- Apple visionOS before 27
- Apple watchOS before 27
Timeline
- 2026-09-14: patched: Fixed in iOS 26.7, iPadOS 26.7, iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS Golden Gate 27, visionOS 27, watchOS 27
- 2026-09-14: disclosed