CVE-2020-11024 in Moonlight
Summary
by MITRE
In Moonlight iOS/tvOS before 4.0.1, the pairing process is vulnerable to a man-in-the-middle attack. The bug has been fixed in Moonlight v4.0.1 for iOS and tvOS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-11024 affects the Moonlight streaming application for iOS and tvOS platforms, specifically versions prior to 4.0.1. This represents a critical security flaw in the device pairing mechanism that enables unauthorized interception of communication between streaming devices and control applications. The vulnerability stems from insufficient cryptographic validation during the initial pairing phase, creating an exploitable gap in the authentication process that adversaries can leverage to compromise the security of the streaming environment.
The technical implementation flaw resides in the pairing protocol's lack of proper certificate validation and mutual authentication mechanisms. During the pairing process, Moonlight fails to adequately verify the authenticity of the target device, allowing attackers positioned within the network to intercept and manipulate pairing requests. This weakness creates a scenario where an attacker can present a forged device certificate, tricking the client application into establishing a connection with the malicious intermediary rather than the legitimate streaming device. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic issues related to insufficient validation of certificates and cryptographic tokens, and specifically aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it provides attackers with complete control over the pairing process and subsequent streaming sessions. An adversary exploiting this weakness can establish unauthorized connections to streaming devices, potentially gaining access to sensitive content, controlling device functions, and monitoring user activities. The attack vector typically involves network-based interception where the malicious actor positions themselves between the client and server during the pairing phase, exploiting the absence of robust cryptographic verification. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where streaming devices may be used to access confidential information or in home networks where personal entertainment systems could be compromised.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate application of the patched version 4.0.1 for both iOS and tvOS platforms, as this update implements proper certificate validation and strengthens the pairing protocol. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional security measures such as network segmentation, monitoring for unusual pairing activities, and ensuring all streaming devices operate on secure network configurations. The fix addresses the core cryptographic weakness by introducing proper certificate pinning mechanisms and enhancing the mutual authentication process between client and server components. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any systems still running vulnerable versions and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. This remediation aligns with industry best practices for secure communication protocols and demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security implementations in mobile streaming applications.