CVE-2020-9854 – This CVE describes a privilege escalation vulne... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2020-9854?

CVE-2020-9854 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This CVE describes a privilege escalation vulnerability in Apple operating systems where a malicious application could bypass security restrictions and gain elevated privileges. It affects iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and tvOS users running vulnerable versions. The vulnerability was addressed through improved validation logic in Apple's security framework.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a privilege escalation vulnerability in Apple operating systems where a malicious application could bypass security restrictions and gain elevated privileges. It affects iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and tvOS users running vulnerable versions. The vulnerability was addressed through improved validation logic in Apple's security framework.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

iOS
iPadOS
macOS
tvOS

Versions: Versions prior to iOS 13.5, iPadOS 13.5, macOS Catalina 10.15.5, tvOS 13.4.5

Operating Systems: iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: All devices running affected versions are vulnerable by default. The vulnerability requires a malicious application to be installed and executed.

📦 What is this software?

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

A malicious application could gain root or kernel-level privileges, potentially allowing complete system compromise, data theft, or installation of persistent malware.

🟠

Likely Case

A malicious app could escape sandbox restrictions, access sensitive user data, or perform unauthorized system operations.

🟢

If Mitigated

With proper app vetting and security controls, the risk is limited to potentially malicious apps that bypass App Store review.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW (This is a local privilege escalation requiring malicious application execution)

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM (Malicious apps could be distributed internally or via social engineering)

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires a malicious application to be installed and executed on the target device. No public exploit code is known.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: iOS 13.5, iPadOS 13.5, macOS Catalina 10.15.5, tvOS 13.4.5

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

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Open Settings app. 2. Go to General > Software Update. 3. Download and install the latest available update. 4. Restart device when prompted.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Restrict app installations

all

Only install apps from trusted sources like the official App Store

Enable Gatekeeper on macOS

macOS

Ensure Gatekeeper is enabled to block apps from unidentified developers

sudo spctl --master-enable

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Restrict app installations to App Store only
Implement mobile device management (MDM) to control app installation
Educate users about risks of installing untrusted applications

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check current OS version against vulnerable versions: iOS/iPadOS < 13.5, macOS < 10.15.5, tvOS < 13.4.5

Check Version:

iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > About > Version; macOS: Apple menu > About This Mac; tvOS: Settings > General > About

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify OS version is equal to or greater than patched versions: iOS/iPadOS ≥ 13.5, macOS ≥ 10.15.5, tvOS ≥ 13.4.5

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unexpected privilege escalation events
Sandbox violation logs
Unauthorized system calls from applications

Network Indicators:

Unusual outbound connections from applications
Communication with known malicious domains

SIEM Query:

source="apple_security_logs" AND (event_type="privilege_escalation" OR event_type="sandbox_violation")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2020-9854

CVSS v3 Score: 7.8 (HIGH)

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

Published: October 22, 2020

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

https://support.apple.com/kb/HT211168 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT211170 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT211171 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT211168 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT211170 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT211171 Vendor Advisory

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