CVE-2020-9855 : What You Need to Know

A validation issue in symlink handling in macOS Catalina 10.15.5 could allow a local attacker to elevate privileges.

Understanding CVE-2020-9855

This CVE involves a vulnerability in symlink handling in macOS Catalina 10.15.5 that could be exploited by a local attacker to escalate their privileges.

What is CVE-2020-9855?

A validation issue existed in the handling of symlinks in macOS Catalina 10.15.5, allowing a local attacker to potentially elevate their privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2020-9855

The vulnerability could be exploited by a local attacker to escalate their privileges on the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-9855

This section provides technical details of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

A validation issue in symlink handling in macOS Catalina 10.15.5 allowed local attackers to elevate their privileges.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: macOS
Vendor: Apple
Versions Affected: macOS Catalina 10.15.5 (and below)

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability could be exploited locally by manipulating symlinks to gain elevated privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to address and prevent the CVE.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update macOS to version 10.15.5 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Regularly monitor for security updates from Apple.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement the principle of least privilege to limit potential damage from privilege escalation attacks.
Educate users on safe symlink handling practices to prevent exploitation.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches promptly to ensure the system is protected against known vulnerabilities.