CVE-2020-10017 – CVE-2020-10017 is an out-of-bounds write vulner... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2020-10017?

CVE-2020-10017 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). CVE-2020-10017 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in Apple's audio file processing that could allow arbitrary code execution when a malicious audio file is opened. This affects macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and watchOS users running vulnerable versions. Attackers could potentially gain full control of affected devices.

📋 TL;DR

CVE-2020-10017 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in Apple's audio file processing that could allow arbitrary code execution when a malicious audio file is opened. This affects macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and watchOS users running vulnerable versions. Attackers could potentially gain full control of affected devices.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

macOS
iOS
iPadOS
tvOS
watchOS

Versions: Versions prior to macOS Big Sur 11.0.1, iOS 14.2, iPadOS 14.2, tvOS 14.2, watchOS 7.1

Operating Systems: macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, watchOS

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: All default configurations are vulnerable; requires processing of malicious audio file through affected audio frameworks.

📦 What is this software?

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete system compromise with attacker gaining root/administrator privileges, data theft, ransomware deployment, and persistent backdoor installation.

🟠

Likely Case

Local privilege escalation or remote code execution when user opens a malicious audio file, potentially leading to data compromise and further lateral movement.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact with proper patch management and user awareness; isolated to single user session if exploited.

🌐 Internet-Facing: MEDIUM - Requires user interaction to open malicious file, but could be delivered via web downloads or email attachments.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Similar risk internally; could be exploited via shared files or internal communications.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ⚠️ Yes

Weaponized: LIKELY

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires user interaction to open malicious file; technical details available in public disclosures.

🛠️ 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 Settings/System Preferences. 2. Navigate to Software Update. 3. Install available updates. 4. Restart device when prompted.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Restrict audio file processing

all

Block or restrict processing of untrusted audio files through application controls or policies.

User awareness training

all

Educate users not to open audio files from untrusted sources.

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement application allowlisting to restrict which applications can process audio files.
Use network segmentation to isolate vulnerable devices and monitor for suspicious file transfers.

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check system version against affected versions; if running macOS < 11.0.1, iOS/iPadOS < 14.2, tvOS < 14.2, or watchOS < 7.1, device is vulnerable.

Check Version:

macOS: sw_vers -productVersion; iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > About > Version; tvOS: Settings > General > About > Version; watchOS: iPhone Watch app > General > About > Version

Verify Fix Applied:

Confirm system version is macOS 11.0.1+, iOS 14.2+, iPadOS 14.2+, tvOS 14.2+, or watchOS 7.1+.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unusual audio file processing errors
Crash reports from audio frameworks
Unexpected process execution following file opening

Network Indicators:

Downloads of suspicious audio files
Unusual outbound connections after file processing

SIEM Query:

source="apple_system_logs" AND (process="coreaudiod" OR process="audio" OR file_extension="mp3" OR file_extension="aac" OR file_extension="wav") AND event_type="crash" OR event_type="execution"

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2020-10017

CVSS v3 Score: 7.8 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-787

Published: December 8, 2020

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Dec/26 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Dec/32 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211928 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211929 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211930 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211931 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT212011 Vendor Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Dec/26 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Dec/32 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211928 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211929 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211930 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211931 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT212011 Vendor Advisory

📤 Share & Export

📄 Export Markdown 📋 Export JSON

🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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