CVE-2020-9850 – This is a critical remote code execution vulner... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2020-9850?

CVE-2020-9850 has a CVSS score of 9.8 (CRITICAL). This is a critical remote code execution vulnerability affecting multiple Apple products. A logic issue allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. Affected users include anyone running unpatched versions of iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, watchOS, Safari, iTunes for Windows, or iCloud for Windows.

📋 TL;DR

This is a critical remote code execution vulnerability affecting multiple Apple products. A logic issue allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. Affected users include anyone running unpatched versions of iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, watchOS, Safari, iTunes for Windows, or iCloud for Windows.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

iOS
iPadOS
tvOS
watchOS
Safari
iTunes for Windows
iCloud for Windows

Versions: Versions prior to iOS 13.5, iPadOS 13.5, tvOS 13.4.5, watchOS 6.2.5, Safari 13.1.1, iTunes 12.10.7 for Windows, iCloud for Windows 11.2, iCloud for Windows 7.19

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

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: All default configurations of affected products are vulnerable.

📦 What is this software?

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete system compromise allowing attacker to install malware, steal data, or pivot to other systems.

🟠

Likely Case

Remote code execution leading to data theft, ransomware deployment, or unauthorized access.

🟢

If Mitigated

No impact if systems are fully patched or isolated from untrusted networks.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH - Remote exploitation possible without authentication.

🏢 Internal Only: HIGH - Internal systems remain vulnerable to internal threats or compromised endpoints.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: LOW

CVSS 9.8 indicates critical severity with low attack complexity and no authentication required.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: iOS 13.5, iPadOS 13.5, tvOS 13.4.5, watchOS 6.2.5, Safari 13.1.1, iTunes 12.10.7 for Windows, iCloud for Windows 11.2, iCloud for Windows 7.19

Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/HT211168

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > Software Update. 2. Update tvOS: Settings > System > Software Updates. 3. Update watchOS: iPhone Watch app > General > Software Update. 4. Update Safari: App Store updates. 5. Update iTunes/iCloud for Windows: Use Apple Software Update or download from apple.com.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Network segmentation

all

Isolate vulnerable systems from untrusted networks and internet access.

Application control

all

Restrict execution of untrusted applications and scripts.

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Remove affected systems from internet-facing networks
Implement strict network segmentation and monitor for suspicious activity

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check current version against patched versions listed in fix_official.patch_version.

Check Version:

iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > About > Version. Windows: iTunes > Help > About iTunes or iCloud > Help > About iCloud.

Verify Fix Applied:

Confirm version matches or exceeds patched versions: iOS/iPadOS 13.5+, tvOS 13.4.5+, watchOS 6.2.5+, Safari 13.1.1+, iTunes 12.10.7+, iCloud for Windows 11.2+ or 7.19+.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unexpected process execution
Crash reports from affected applications
Unusual network connections from Apple services

Network Indicators:

Suspicious traffic to/from Apple service ports
Anomalous outbound connections from patched systems

SIEM Query:

source="apple_services" AND (event_type="crash" OR process_execution="unexpected")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2020-9850

CVSS v3 Score: 9.8 (CRITICAL)

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

Published: June 9, 2020

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

https://support.apple.com/HT211168 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/HT211171 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/HT211175 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/HT211177 Broken Link,Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/HT211178 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/HT211179 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/HT211181 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/HT211168 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/HT211171 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/HT211175 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/HT211177 Broken Link,Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/HT211178 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/HT211179 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/HT211181 Vendor Advisory

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