CVE-2026-20700

Published Feb 11, 2026

Last updated 7 months ago

Exploit known CVSS high 7.8

Apple

Zero-day

Mobile device

Dynamic Link Editor

Overview

AI description

Automated description summarized from trusted sources.

CVE-2026-20700 is a memory corruption vulnerability found within Apple's `dyld` component, which is the Dynamic Link Editor responsible for loading dynamic libraries into memory and bridging application code with system frameworks. This flaw could enable an attacker with memory write capabilities to execute arbitrary code on affected devices. Apple addressed this issue through improved state management in updates for watchOS 26.3, tvOS 26.3, macOS Tahoe 26.3, visionOS 26.3, iOS 26.3, and iPadOS 26.3. Reports indicate that this vulnerability may have been exploited in "extremely sophisticated attacks" targeting specific individuals on versions of iOS preceding iOS 26. Google's Threat Analysis Group is credited with discovering and reporting the vulnerability.

Description: 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.
Source: product-security@apple.com
NVD status: Analyzed
Products: ipados, iphone_os, macos, tvos, visionos, watchos

Risk scores

CVSS 3.1

Type: Secondary
Base score: 7.8
Impact score: 5.9
Exploitability score: 1.8
Vector string: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Severity: HIGH

Known exploits

Data from CISA

Vulnerability name: Apple Multiple Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
Exploit added on: Feb 12, 2026
Exploit action due: Mar 5, 2026
Required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

Weaknesses

134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0: CWE-119

Hype score: Not currently trending

Configurations

[
  {
    "nodes": [
      {
        "cpeMatch": [
          {
            "criteria": "cpe:2.3:o:apple:ipados:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*",
            "matchCriteriaId": "73ED2212-C513-4BE8-8EDB-40DF4323558E",
            "versionEndExcluding": "26.3",
            "vulnerable": true
          },
          {
            "criteria": "cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*",
            "matchCriteriaId": "DEC63AFD-9C97-45CD-80CF-CC60DF064838",
            "versionEndExcluding": "26.3",
            "vulnerable": true
          },
          {
            "criteria": "cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*",
            "matchCriteriaId": "E1EEEE88-5ADA-4C55-9C7C-397E904408DD",
            "versionEndExcluding": "26.3",
            "vulnerable": true
          },
          {
            "criteria": "cpe:2.3:o:apple:tvos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*",
            "matchCriteriaId": "60137BD4-65B6-4962-B1E5-5F4EE279489B",
            "versionEndExcluding": "26.3",
            "vulnerable": true
          },
          {
            "criteria": "cpe:2.3:o:apple:visionos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*",
            "matchCriteriaId": "388EDB3F-A14E-4922-B88A-F1CB6DE50A2A",
            "versionEndExcluding": "26.3",
            "vulnerable": true
          },
          {
            "criteria": "cpe:2.3:o:apple:watchos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*",
            "matchCriteriaId": "F406F3D2-0AF3-4F83-A123-2AC07B3B094E",
            "versionEndExcluding": "26.3",
            "vulnerable": true
          }
        ],
        "negate": false,
        "operator": "OR"
      }
    ]
  }
]

References

Sources include official advisories and independent security research.