CVE-2020-9890 : What You Need to Know
Learn about CVE-2020-9890, an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Apple products that could lead to arbitrary code execution. Find mitigation steps and affected versions here.
An out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Apple products could allow arbitrary code execution when processing a specially crafted audio file.
Understanding CVE-2020-9890
This CVE addresses a critical security issue in various Apple products that could be exploited by processing a malicious audio file.
What is CVE-2020-9890?
CVE-2020-9890 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS that could lead to arbitrary code execution when handling a specifically crafted audio file.
The Impact of CVE-2020-9890
The vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker to execute arbitrary code on affected devices, potentially leading to unauthorized access or control.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-9890
This section provides more in-depth technical information about the CVE.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability involves an out-of-bounds read issue that was mitigated by enhancing bounds checking mechanisms in the affected Apple products.
Affected Systems and Versions
- iOS versions prior to 13.6 and iPadOS versions prior to 13.6
- macOS versions prior to Catalina 10.15.6
- tvOS versions prior to 13.4.8
- watchOS versions prior to 6.2.8
Exploitation Mechanism
By processing a specially crafted audio file, an attacker could trigger the vulnerability, potentially leading to the execution of arbitrary code on the target device.
Mitigation and Prevention
To protect systems from CVE-2020-9890, users and administrators should take immediate and long-term security measures.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update affected Apple devices to the latest versions that contain the security patches.
- Avoid opening or processing audio files from untrusted or unknown sources.
- Monitor official Apple security advisories for any further updates or recommendations.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update software and firmware on all Apple devices to ensure the latest security fixes are applied.
- Implement network security measures and access controls to prevent unauthorized access to devices.
Patching and Updates
Apple has released fixes for CVE-2020-9890 in the following versions:
- iOS 13.6 and iPadOS 13.6
- macOS Catalina 10.15.6
- tvOS 13.4.8
- watchOS 6.2.8