CVE-2026-20645: Medium Vulnerability in Apple iOS and iPadOS

CVE-2026-20645 is classified as a medium-severity vulnerability affecting Apple’s iOS and iPadOS. The vulnerability arises from an inconsistent user interface issue that has been addressed with improved state management. This issue allows an attacker with physical access to a locked device to potentially view sensitive user information, increasing the risks associated with unauthorized data exposure.

The CVSS score of 4.6 indicates a medium severity level, suggesting that while the impact is notable, the complexity and accessibility of the attack are lower than many higher-severity vulnerabilities. However, organizations should remain vigilant, as the potential for sensitive data exposure remains significant.

The vulnerability was published on February 11, 2026, and impacts various versions of iOS and iPadOS. Given the nature of mobile devices and their use, the risk to organizations includes possible data breaches, especially in environments where users may inadvertently leave devices unattended or unlocked.

Organizations should prioritize patching immediately, as the fix is available in iOS 18.7.5, iPadOS 18.7.5, iOS 26.3, and iPadOS 26.3. The urgency for defenders is highlighted by the nature of the exploit, which requires physical access, but still poses a risk to sensitive information.

Vulnerability Details

The official CVE description states that an inconsistent user interface issue was addressed with improved state management. It allows an attacker with physical access to a locked device to view sensitive user information.

CWE classification associated with this vulnerability is CWE-1021, which pertains to inconsistent user interface issues. This issue affects Apple’s iOS and iPadOS products, specifically versions prior to the patches in 18.7.5 and 26.3.

As stated earlier, the CVSS score for this vulnerability is 4.6, indicating that while it poses a risk, the characteristics of the attack vector require physical access to exploit the vulnerability.

Technical Analysis

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the inconsistent handling of user interface states, which could lead to unauthorized information exposure. The attack vector is primarily physical, requiring the attacker to have direct access to the device.

The attack complexity is low, meaning that an attacker does not need advanced skills to exploit this vulnerability. No user interaction is required, which further simplifies the attack process. The confidentiality impact is high, as sensitive user information may be exposed, while integrity and availability impacts are non-applicable in this context.

Risk & Impact Analysis

Real-world deployment of this vulnerability could lead to significant risks for organizations, particularly those handling sensitive personal data or proprietary information. The potential for unauthorized access to sensitive information highlights the need for immediate action.

Organizations should assess the blast radius of this vulnerability and the potential impact on their operations. Given the medium severity score and the fact that this vulnerability is not listed in the KEV catalog, the urgency assessment should consider the potential risks of physical access to devices.

Affected Versions

This vulnerability affects iOS and iPadOS versions prior to 18.7.5 and 26.3 respectively. Organizations should ensure that they are running the latest versions to mitigate this vulnerability effectively.

Mitigation & Remediation

To remediate this vulnerability, organizations should update to the latest versions of iOS and iPadOS: 18.7.5 and 26.3. If immediate patching is not possible, consider implementing physical security measures to prevent unauthorized access to devices.

For organizations, regular penetration testing can help identify similar vulnerabilities and ensure that security measures are effective. More information on this can be found through our penetration testing services which can assist in validating and enhancing security posture.

Detection Guidance

Organizations should monitor for behavioral anomalies that may indicate unauthorized access attempts. Logging physical access events and maintaining strict controls over device access can help detect potential exploitation.

AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight

This vulnerability highlights the importance of robust state management within user interfaces, particularly in mobile devices. Security teams should ensure comprehensive testing of user interfaces to mitigate the risk of similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Organizations looking to improve their security posture can refer to our resource on vulnerability management programs and explore best practices through our penetration testing methodology guides.

Lastly, organizations can benefit from continuous security assessments to adapt to evolving threats. Our continuous security testing services provide ongoing validation of security measures.