CVE-2020-27937 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 04/03/2021
A logic issue was addressed with improved state management. This issue is fixed in macOS Big Sur 11.2, Security Update 2021-001 Catalina, Security Update 2021-001 Mojave, macOS Big Sur 11.0.1. A malicious application may be able to access private information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/20/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical logic flaw in macOS operating system state management mechanisms that could potentially allow unauthorized access to private information. The issue stems from inadequate handling of system states during application execution and memory management operations, creating potential attack vectors for malicious software. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of macOS including Big Sur 11.0.1 and earlier releases, as well as Catalina and Mojave systems that require specific security updates. The root cause lies in the improper validation and management of application states, which could enable a malicious application to exploit gaps in the system's access controls and information protection mechanisms. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of logic flaws that are classified as CWE-254 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, specifically addressing weaknesses in the design and implementation of access control mechanisms. The vulnerability operates at the system level where application states are managed, potentially allowing for privilege escalation or information disclosure attacks that could compromise user data and system integrity. The security implications extend beyond simple data access, as the flaw could enable attackers to manipulate system states in ways that bypass normal security boundaries and access protected resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it creates opportunities for malicious applications to access private information without proper authorization. Attackers could potentially exploit the flawed state management to gain access to sensitive user data, system files, or other protected resources that should normally be restricted to authorized processes. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of macOS by undermining the system's ability to properly maintain and enforce state boundaries between different applications and system processes. This issue particularly impacts systems running versions prior to the security updates, where the logic flaw remains unaddressed and exploitable. The attack surface is broad as any application running on the affected systems could potentially leverage this vulnerability to access private information, making it a serious concern for enterprise environments and individual users alike. The flaw represents a breakdown in the system's integrity protection mechanisms, where the state management logic fails to properly validate or enforce access restrictions during application execution phases.
The mitigation strategy involves applying the appropriate security updates released by Apple to address the specific state management issues. Systems running macOS Big Sur 11.2, Security Update 2021-001 for Catalina, and Security Update 2021-001 for Mojave should be updated immediately to resolve the vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive the necessary updates. The security update addresses the underlying logic flaw by improving the state management mechanisms and strengthening the validation processes that govern application behavior and resource access. Additionally, system administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and monitor system logs for suspicious activities that might indicate attempted exploitation of this vulnerability. The remediation process should include verification that the updates have been properly installed and that the system's state management functions are operating correctly. Continuous monitoring and security auditing practices should be maintained to detect any potential residual vulnerabilities or related security issues that might emerge from the patching process or system modifications. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and proper system state management in preventing unauthorized access to sensitive information.