CVE-2020-9960
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2020-9960 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Apple's audio file processing that could allow arbitrary code execution when processing malicious audio files. This affects macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and watchOS users running vulnerable versions. Attackers could potentially gain control of affected devices.
💻 Affected Systems
- macOS
- iOS
- iPadOS
- tvOS
- watchOS
📦 What is this software?
Ipados by Apple
Macos by Apple
macOS is Apple's desktop and laptop operating system powering Mac computers used by millions of professionals, developers, creative professionals, and enterprise users worldwide. Built on a Unix foundation with the Darwin kernel and modern Cocoa frameworks, macOS delivers a seamless ecosystem integr...
Learn more about Macos →Tvos by Apple
Watchos by Apple
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise with attacker gaining root privileges and persistent access to the device.
Likely Case
Application crash or limited code execution within the audio processing context, potentially leading to data theft or further exploitation.
If Mitigated
Denial of service from application crash if exploit fails or is partially mitigated.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction to open malicious audio file. No public exploit code available at disclosure.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: macOS Big Sur 11.0.1, tvOS 14.0, macOS Big Sur 11.1, Security Update 2020-001 Catalina, Security Update 2020-007 Mojave, watchOS 7.0, iOS 14.0 and iPadOS 14.0
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211843
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open System Preferences > Software Update. 2. Install all available updates. 3. Restart device when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable automatic audio file processing
allPrevent automatic processing of audio files in web browsers and email clients
User education
allTrain users not to open audio files from untrusted sources
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application whitelisting to block unauthorized audio processing applications
- Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) to monitor for suspicious audio file processing
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check system version against affected versions list. On macOS: sw_vers -productVersionCheck Version:
macOS: sw_vers -productVersion, iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > About > VersionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify system version matches or exceeds patched versions listed in vendor advisory📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Application crashes in audio processing components
- Unusual audio file processing from untrusted locations
Network Indicators:
- Downloads of audio files from suspicious sources
- Unusual outbound connections after audio file processing
SIEM Query:
source="endpoint" event_type="process" process_name IN ("afconvert", "CoreAudio", "audio") AND file_path="*.mp3" OR file_path="*.m4a" OR file_path="*.aac"🔗 References
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211843
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211844
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211850
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211931
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212011
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211843
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211844
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211850
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211931
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212011
