CVE-2020-3846 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2020-3846, a buffer overflow vulnerability in iOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, iTunes for Windows, and iCloud for Windows. Find out how to mitigate the risk and apply necessary security patches.
A buffer overflow vulnerability was identified and fixed in various Apple products, potentially leading to unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution.
Understanding CVE-2020-3846
What is CVE-2020-3846?
CVE-2020-3846 is a vulnerability related to buffer overflow that was discovered and addressed in multiple Apple products.
The Impact of CVE-2020-3846
The vulnerability could allow attackers to exploit maliciously crafted XML, resulting in unexpected application termination or the execution of arbitrary code.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-3846
Vulnerability Description
The issue was resolved by enhancing size validation to prevent buffer overflow in iOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, iTunes for Windows, and iCloud for Windows.
Affected Systems and Versions
- iOS and iPadOS versions earlier than 13.3.1
- macOS Catalina versions earlier than 10.15.3
- tvOS versions earlier than 13.3.1
- watchOS versions earlier than 6.1.2
- iTunes for Windows versions earlier than 12.10.4
- iCloud for Windows versions earlier than 11.0
- Legacy iCloud for Windows versions earlier than 7.17
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability could be exploited through the processing of specially crafted XML files, triggering the buffer overflow.
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update affected Apple products to the latest versions that include the security patches.
- Avoid opening or processing suspicious or untrusted XML files.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update all software and applications to mitigate potential vulnerabilities.
- Implement network security measures to detect and prevent malicious activities.
Patching and Updates
Apply official patches and updates provided by Apple to ensure the security of the affected products.