CVE-2019-7287
CVE-2019-7287 is a security flaw in Apple iOS, the operating system on iPhones and iPads. Attackers can run their own code on Apple iOS. 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 iOS 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 of iOS.
Description
CISA calls it a memory corruption in Apple iOS. In its words: “Apple iOS contains a memory corruption vulnerability which could allow an attacker to perform remote code execution.”[1]
The CVE record adds: “A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved input validation. This issue is fixed in iOS 12.1.4. An application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel 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 one fixed version: everything before it is affected.[2]
| Product | Fixed in |
|---|---|
| iOS | iOS 12.1.4 |
Every device with Apple iOS 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 5%. That’s in the top 9% 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 iOS 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 of iOS. 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 5%.[4] |
See also
Other Apple iOS flaws
- CVE-2022-42856: type confusion ·
- CVE-2016-4657: webkit memory corruption ·
- CVE-2016-4656: memory corruption ·
- CVE-2016-4655: information disclosure ·
- CVE-2021-30762: webKit use-after-free ·
- CVE-2021-30761: webKit memory corruption ·
Other Apple flaws
- CVE-2026-86950, Apple devices: out-of-bounds write ·
- CVE-2026-65400, Apple macOS: improper authentication ·
- CVE-2025-43520, Apple devices: classic buffer overflow ·
- CVE-2025-43510, Apple devices: improper locking ·
- CVE-2025-31277, Apple devices: buffer overflow ·
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 iOS Memory Corruption Vulnerability”. Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, added 23 May 2022.
- ^ National Institute of Standards and Technology. “CVE-2019-7287 Detail”. National Vulnerability Database, published 18 Dec 2019.
- ^ Apple. Advisories and fixes: support.apple.com.
- ^ FIRST. “Exploit Prediction Scoring System”. EPSS 0.046, percentile 91.6, 31 Oct 2026.
- CVE Program. “CVE-2019-7287”. 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.