CVE-2020-9996 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A use after free issue in Apple's iOS, iPadOS, and macOS has been addressed with improved memory management, fixing the vulnerability in macOS Big Sur 11.0.1, iOS 14.0, and iPadOS 14.0. This issue could allow a malicious application to elevate privileges.

Understanding CVE-2020-9996

This CVE involves a use after free vulnerability in Apple's operating systems, potentially leading to privilege escalation by a malicious application.

What is CVE-2020-9996?

CVE-2020-9996 is a use after free vulnerability in iOS, iPadOS, and macOS that could be exploited by a malicious application to elevate privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2020-9996

The vulnerability could allow unauthorized privilege escalation, posing a security risk to affected Apple devices.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-9996

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

A use after free issue in Apple's iOS, iPadOS, and macOS was fixed by enhancing memory management to prevent privilege escalation by malicious applications.

Affected Systems and Versions

iOS and iPadOS: Versions less than 14.0 are affected.
macOS: Versions less than 11.0 are affected.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability could be exploited by a malicious application to manipulate memory allocation and potentially gain elevated privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2020-9996, follow these steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update affected devices to the latest versions of macOS Big Sur 11.0.1, iOS 14.0, and iPadOS 14.0.
Avoid downloading and running untrusted applications on Apple devices.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Apple devices to the latest software versions.
Implement security best practices to minimize the risk of malicious attacks.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches and updates provided by Apple to ensure the ongoing protection of your devices.