CVE-2020-10010
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a path handling vulnerability in Apple operating systems that allows local attackers to elevate privileges through improper validation. It affects macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and watchOS. Attackers could gain higher system permissions than intended.
💻 Affected Systems
- macOS
- iOS
- iPadOS
- tvOS
- watchOS
📦 What is this software?
Ipados by Apple
Tvos by Apple
Watchos by Apple
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Local attacker gains root/system-level privileges, enabling complete system compromise, data theft, persistence mechanisms, and lateral movement.
Likely Case
Local user or malware gains elevated privileges to install additional payloads, modify system files, or bypass security controls.
If Mitigated
With proper patching and least privilege principles, impact is limited to denial of service or minimal privilege escalation within user context.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access but is relatively straightforward based on the path handling nature. Public disclosures suggest exploit code exists.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: macOS Big Sur 11.0.1, iOS 14.2, iPadOS 14.2, tvOS 14.2, watchOS 7.1
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211928
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open System Preferences > Software Update on macOS or Settings > General > Software Update on iOS/iPadOS. 2. Download and install the available update. 3. Restart the device when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict local user privileges
allImplement least privilege principles to limit what local users can do even if they exploit the vulnerability
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls and monitor for privilege escalation attempts
- Segment affected devices from critical systems and apply additional monitoring
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check OS version: On macOS, go to Apple menu > About This Mac. On iOS/iPadOS, go to Settings > General > About. Compare against patched versions.Check Version:
macOS: sw_vers -productVersion; iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > About > VersionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify OS version matches or exceeds: macOS 11.0.1, iOS 14.2, iPadOS 14.2, tvOS 14.2, watchOS 7.1📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected privilege escalation events
- Processes running with unexpected privileges
- System file modifications by non-privileged users
Network Indicators:
- None - this is a local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
Search for process creation events where parent process has lower privileges than child process, or unexpected privilege changes in system logs🔗 References
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Dec/26
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Dec/32
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211928
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211929
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211930
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211931
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT212011
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Dec/26
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Dec/32
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211928
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211929
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211930
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211931
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT212011
