CVE-2020-9880 – This CVE describes a buffer overflow vulnerabil... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2020-9880?

CVE-2020-9880 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This CVE describes a buffer overflow vulnerability in Apple's USD file processing that could allow arbitrary code execution. Attackers can exploit this by tricking users into opening malicious USD files, potentially compromising affected Apple devices. The vulnerability impacts iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS before specific patch versions.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a buffer overflow vulnerability in Apple's USD file processing that could allow arbitrary code execution. Attackers can exploit this by tricking users into opening malicious USD files, potentially compromising affected Apple devices. The vulnerability impacts iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS before specific patch versions.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

iOS
iPadOS
macOS
tvOS
watchOS

Versions: Versions before iOS 13.6, iPadOS 13.6, macOS Catalina 10.15.6, tvOS 13.4.8, watchOS 6.2.8

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

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: All default configurations are vulnerable if running affected versions. USD file processing is built into the operating systems.

📦 What is this software?

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete system compromise with attacker gaining full control of the device, data theft, and persistence.

🟠

Likely Case

Application crashes or limited code execution in sandboxed contexts, potentially leading to data leakage.

🟢

If Mitigated

No impact if patched or if malicious USD files are blocked at perimeter.

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

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Internal users could be targeted with malicious files via internal systems.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires user interaction to open malicious USD file. No public exploit code is known, but buffer overflows are commonly weaponized.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: iOS 13.6, iPadOS 13.6, macOS Catalina 10.15.6, tvOS 13.4.8, watchOS 6.2.8

Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT211288

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings > General > Software Update on iOS/iPadOS/watchOS. 2. For macOS, go to System Preferences > Software Update. 3. For tvOS, go to Settings > System > Software Updates. 4. Download and install the latest update. 5. Restart device after installation.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Block USD files at perimeter

all

Configure email gateways and web proxies to block .usd files or treat them as suspicious.

User education

all

Train users not to open USD files from untrusted sources.

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized applications from executing.
Use endpoint protection that can detect and block malicious file execution.

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check current OS version against affected versions list. On macOS: System Information > Software > System Version. On iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > About > Version.

Check Version:

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

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify OS version matches or exceeds patched versions listed in fix_official.patch_version.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Application crashes related to USD file processing
Unexpected process execution after USD file opening

Network Indicators:

Downloads of USD files from suspicious sources
Outbound connections after USD file processing

SIEM Query:

process_name:"usd" OR file_extension:".usd" AND (event_type:"crash" OR event_type:"execution")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2020-9880

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-120

Published: October 22, 2020

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

https://support.apple.com/kb/HT211288 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT211289 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT211290 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT211291 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT211288 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT211289 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT211290 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT211291 Vendor Advisory

📤 Share & Export

📄 Export Markdown 📋 Export JSON

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