CVE-2019-7286
CVE-2019-7286 is a security flaw in Apple devices, the software on Apple’s iPhones, iPads and Macs. Someone who already has a foothold can use Apple devices to take full control of the machine. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks on 23 May 2022.[1]
Apple devices is in things households have, such as phones, computers, browsers and everyday apps, so the fix matters at home as much as at work. Fixed in version iOS 12.1.4 and macOS Mojave 10.14.3 Supplemental Update.
Description
CISA calls it a memory corruption in Apple Multiple Products. In its words: “Apple iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS contain a memory corruption vulnerability that could allow for privilege escalation.”[1]
The CVE record adds: “A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved input validation. This issue is fixed in iOS 12.1.4, macOS Mojave 10.14.3 Supplemental Update. An application may be able to gain elevated privileges.”[2]
The underlying weakness is out-of-bounds write (CWE-787), in MITRE’s list of common software weaknesses.
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System, which rates it high, scored by NVD using CVSS 3.1.[2]
Affected versions
NVD’s record lists these fixed versions: in each line, everything before the version shown is affected.[2]
| Product | Fixed in |
|---|---|
| iOS | iOS 12.1.4 |
| macOS | macOS Mojave 10.14.3 Supplemental Update |
Every device with Apple devices needs the update.
Exploitation
CISA added it to its catalog of known exploited vulnerabilities on 23 May 2022, 887 days after it was made public. CISA lists a flaw only when it has reliable evidence of it being exploited, and gave US federal agencies until 13 Jun 2022 to fix it.[1]
FIRST’s Exploit Prediction Scoring System, which estimates how likely a flaw is to be used in attacks in the next 30 days from what it sees across the internet, puts it at 16%. That’s in the top 4% of the flaws it scores.[4]
CISA assesses it as not automatable: each attack takes some work.
CISA doesn’t say who was attacked, or how.
Fix
Apple has published a fix or advice.[3] CISA’s required action: “Apply updates per vendor instructions.”[1]
- Update Apple devices now.On iPhone and iPad: Settings, General, Software Update. On a Mac: System Settings, General, Software Update. Install it on every Apple device in the house. Then turn on automatic updates, so the next fix arrives on its own.
- Check you’re on iOS 12.1.4 or later.Fixed in version iOS 12.1.4 and macOS Mojave 10.14.3 Supplemental Update. Anything older is what attackers are going after.
- If there’s no update, stop using it.CISA’s advice when a flaw being used in attacks has no fix is to stop using the product until it does.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| The flaw is made public in the National Vulnerability Database, with a severity score of 7.8.[2] | |
| CISA adds it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks.[1] | |
| CISA’s deadline for US government agencies to fix it.[1] | |
| FIRST puts the odds of it being used in attacks in the next 30 days at 16%.[4] |
See also
Other Apple devices flaws
- CVE-2026-86950: out-of-bounds write ·
- CVE-2025-43520: classic buffer overflow ·
- CVE-2025-43510: improper locking ·
- CVE-2025-31277: buffer overflow ·
- CVE-2023-43000: use-after-free ·
- CVE-2021-30952: integer overflow or wraparound ·
Other out-of-bounds write flaws
- CVE-2026-53266, Linux Kernel: out-of-bounds write ·
- CVE-2026-87491, Chrome and other Chromium browsers: out of bounds write ·
- CVE-2026-53362, Linux Kernel: unspecified ·
- CVE-2022-0995, Linux Kernel: out-of-bounds write ·
- CVE-2026-11645, Chrome and other Chromium browsers: out-of-bounds read and write ·
Added the same day
- CVE-2022-20821, Cisco IOS XR: open port ·
- CVE-2021-30883, Apple devices: memory corruption ·
- CVE-2021-1048, Android Kernel: use-after-free ·
- CVE-2021-0920, Android Kernel: race condition ·
- CVE-2020-1027, Microsoft Windows: kernel privilege escalation ·
Every Apple flaw on CISA’s list · Everything added in May 2022
References
- ^ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “Apple Multiple Products Memory Corruption Vulnerability”. Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, added 23 May 2022.
- ^ National Institute of Standards and Technology. “CVE-2019-7286 Detail”. National Vulnerability Database, published 18 Dec 2019.
- ^ Apple. Advisories and fixes: support.apple.com, support.apple.com, support.apple.com, support.apple.com.
- ^ FIRST. “Exploit Prediction Scoring System”. EPSS 0.159, percentile 96.9, 31 Oct 2026.
- CVE Program. “CVE-2019-7286”. The official CVE record.
This article is built from CISA’s catalog (version 2026.10.30), NVD’s record and FIRST’s scores, kept in HARD’s database and checked every morning. The plain English is HARD’s.