# CVE-2026-86972: Apple iOS and iPadOS buffer overflow in audio processing

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-86972-a-buffer-overflow-was-addressed-with-improved-size-validation  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-26. Updated: 2026-10-26  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-86972 · Severity: info · Published 2026-10-26

iOS and iPadOS devices contain a buffer overflow vulnerability in audio file processing that can corrupt device memory when a user opens a maliciously crafted audio file. An attacker could exploit this to crash apps, cause system instability, or potentially execute arbitrary code. Apple has released patches in iOS 26.7.2, iPadOS 26.7.2, iOS 27.2, and iPadOS 27.2 to address the issue.

Technologies: [Apple Ios](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/apple-ios), [Apple iPadOS](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/ipados), [Apple macOS Golden Gate](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/macos-golden-gate), [Apple macOS Tahoe](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-2026-86972 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-86972 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-86972?** Informational severity, published 26 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Apple Ios Before 26.7.2 and 27.2; Apple iPadOS Before 26.7.2 and 27.2; Apple macOS Golden Gate Before 27.2; Apple macOS Tahoe Before 26.7.2; and 3 more.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-86972?** Yes: fixed in iOS 26.7.2, iPadOS 26.7.2, iOS 27.2, iPadOS 27.2, macOS Golden Gate 27.2, macOS Tahoe 26.7.2, tvOS 27.2, visionOS 27.2, watchOS 27.2. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-86972 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-86972?** Check whether you run Apple Ios, Apple iPadOS, Apple macOS Golden Gate 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.

## How to fix

- Fixed in iOS 26.7.2, iPadOS 26.7.2, iOS 27.2, iPadOS 27.2, macOS Golden Gate 27.2, macOS Tahoe 26.7.2, tvOS 27.2, visionOS 27.2, watchOS 27.2

## Technical details

An out-of-bounds read in the Audio framework was addressed with improved bounds checking. The vulnerability allows processing of a maliciously crafted audio file to lead to unexpected app termination or memory corruption. Attack requires user interaction to open the malicious file; no authentication or special privileges are required.

## Affected products

- Apple iOS Before 26.7.2 and 27.2
- Apple iPadOS Before 26.7.2 and 27.2
- Apple macOS Golden Gate Before 27.2
- Apple macOS Tahoe Before 26.7.2
- Apple tvOS Before 27.2
- Apple visionOS Before 27.2
- Apple watchOS Before 27.2

## Timeline

- 2026-10-26: advisory

## References

- [https://support.apple.com/en-us/149227](https://support.apple.com/en-us/149227)
- [https://support.apple.com/en-us/149230](https://support.apple.com/en-us/149230)

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