CVE-2020-9884 – This vulnerability allows attackers to execute ... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2020-9884?

CVE-2020-9884 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by tricking users into processing a malicious audio file. It affects Apple devices running outdated iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS versions. Successful exploitation could give attackers full control of the affected device.

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by tricking users into processing a malicious audio file. It affects Apple devices running outdated iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS versions. Successful exploitation could give attackers full control of the affected device.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

iOS
iPadOS
macOS
tvOS
watchOS

Versions: Versions prior to 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

📦 What is this software?

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete system compromise leading to data theft, ransomware deployment, or persistent backdoor installation

🟠

Likely Case

Malware installation leading to credential theft, surveillance, or botnet recruitment

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact due to sandboxing and security controls, potentially only app-level compromise

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

🏢 Internal Only: LOW - Requires user interaction with malicious file, less likely in controlled environments

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires user interaction to process malicious audio file, but no authentication needed once file is opened

🛠️ 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/HT211289

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings > General > Software Update on iOS/iPadOS/watchOS. 2. Go to System Preferences > Software Update on macOS. 3. Install the latest available update. 4. Restart device after installation.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable automatic audio file processing

all

Prevent automatic processing of audio files in web browsers and email clients

User education

all

Train users not to open audio files from untrusted sources

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized code execution
Deploy network filtering to block suspicious audio file downloads

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check current OS version against affected versions list

Check Version:

iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > About > Version. macOS: Apple menu > About This Mac > macOS version. tvOS: Settings > General > About > Version. watchOS: iPhone Watch app > General > About > Version

Verify Fix Applied:

Confirm OS version is equal to or greater than patched versions

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unexpected process crashes in audio-related services
Suspicious file downloads with audio extensions

Network Indicators:

Downloads of audio files from suspicious sources
Outbound connections from audio processing applications

SIEM Query:

Process creation events from audio-related executables followed by network connections or file modifications

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2020-9884

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: October 16, 2020

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

https://support.apple.com/HT211289 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/HT211289 Vendor Advisory

📤 Share & Export

📄 Export Markdown 📋 Export JSON

🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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