CVE-2020-9890
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by tricking users into opening malicious audio files. It affects Apple devices running outdated iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS versions.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
- iOS
- iPadOS
- macOS Catalina
- tvOS
- watchOS
📦 What is this software?
Ipados by Apple
Tvos by Apple
Watchos by Apple
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise leading to data theft, ransomware deployment, or persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
Malware installation through social engineering (user opens malicious audio file), potentially leading to credential theft or surveillance.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if systems are patched, users avoid suspicious files, and network segmentation limits lateral movement.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction (opening malicious audio file). No public exploit code is known, but the vulnerability is serious enough that threat actors may develop private exploits.
🛠️ 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/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 the device after installation.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict Audio File Processing
allUse application control or endpoint protection to block processing of untrusted audio files.
User Education
allTrain users to avoid opening audio files from untrusted sources.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement network segmentation to isolate vulnerable devices from critical systems.
- Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) to monitor for suspicious audio file processing.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check device version against affected versions list. On iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > About > Version. On macOS: Apple menu > About This Mac.Check Version:
iOS/iPadOS/watchOS: No command line. macOS: 'sw_vers' in terminal. tvOS: Check in Settings.Verify Fix Applied:
Verify device version matches or exceeds patched versions: iOS 13.6+, iPadOS 13.6+, macOS Catalina 10.15.6+, tvOS 13.4.8+, watchOS 6.2.8+.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected audio file processing, crash logs from audio services, suspicious file downloads
Network Indicators:
- Downloads of audio files from untrusted sources, unusual outbound connections after audio file access
SIEM Query:
Example: 'process_name contains "audio" AND file_extension in ("mp3", "wav", "aac") AND parent_process not in (trusted_apps)'