CVE-2020-9984 – This vulnerability allows attackers to execute ... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2020-9984?

CVE-2020-9984 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by tricking users into processing maliciously crafted images. It affects Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, iTunes for Windows, and iCloud for Windows users running outdated versions.

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by tricking users into processing maliciously crafted images. It affects Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, iTunes for Windows, and iCloud for Windows users running outdated versions.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

iOS
iPadOS
macOS Catalina
tvOS
watchOS
iTunes for Windows
iCloud for Windows

Versions: Versions prior to iOS 13.6, iPadOS 13.6, macOS Catalina 10.15.6, tvOS 13.4.8, watchOS 6.2.8, iTunes 12.10.8, iCloud for Windows 11.3/7.20

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

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: All default configurations are vulnerable if running affected versions

📦 What is this software?

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

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

🟠

Likely Case

Malware installation, credential theft, or surveillance through image processing applications

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact with proper patching and security controls preventing malicious image delivery

🌐 Internet-Facing: MEDIUM

🏢 Internal Only: LOW

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires user interaction to process malicious image

🛠️ 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, iTunes 12.10.8, iCloud for Windows 11.3/7.20

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

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Open Settings/System Preferences 2. Navigate to Software Update 3. Download and install available updates 4. Restart device when prompted

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable automatic image processing

all

Prevent automatic processing of images in email clients and web browsers

Use application sandboxing

macOS

Run image processing applications in restricted environments

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement network filtering to block suspicious image files
Deploy endpoint protection with memory corruption detection

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check system version against affected versions list

Check Version:

iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > About; macOS: Apple menu > About This Mac; Windows: iTunes/iCloud > Help > About

Verify Fix Applied:

Confirm system version matches or exceeds patched versions

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unexpected process crashes in image handling applications
Memory access violations in system logs

Network Indicators:

Unusual outbound connections after image processing
Suspicious image file downloads

SIEM Query:

Process:name=* AND (EventID=1000 OR EventID=1001) AND CommandLine:*image*

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2020-9984

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-125

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/HT211293 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT211294 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT211295 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
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT211293 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT211294 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT211295 Vendor Advisory

📤 Share & Export

📄 Export Markdown 📋 Export JSON

🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

If you're affected by CVE-2020-9984, you might also want to check these: