CVE-2020-29611 in iCloud
Summary
by MITRE • 04/03/2021
An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved bounds checking. This issue is fixed in tvOS 14.3, macOS Big Sur 11.1, Security Update 2020-001 Catalina, Security Update 2020-007 Mojave, iOS 14.3 and iPadOS 14.3, iCloud for Windows 12.0, watchOS 7.2. Processing a maliciously crafted image may lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/18/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw that was remediated through enhanced bounds checking mechanisms across multiple Apple operating systems and platforms. The issue affects tvOS 14.3, macOS Big Sur 11.1, Security Update 2020-001 for Catalina, Security Update 2020-007 for Mojave, iOS 14.3 and iPadOS 14.3, iCloud for Windows 12.0, and watchOS 7.2. The vulnerability specifically arises during the processing of maliciously crafted image files, creating a potential pathway for arbitrary code execution that could be exploited by attackers. From a technical perspective, this issue falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-787, which describes out-of-bounds write conditions where a program writes data past the end of a buffer, potentially corrupting adjacent memory and enabling exploitation. The attack vector involves image file processing, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, specifically targeting local privilege escalation through exploitation of software vulnerabilities. The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors. The remediation through improved bounds checking demonstrates Apple's approach to addressing memory safety issues by preventing unauthorized memory access patterns that could be leveraged for exploitation. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Apple platforms, indicating a systemic issue in image processing libraries that could be exploited across different device types and operating system versions, making the attack surface particularly broad and concerning for organizations relying on Apple ecosystems. The security updates provided by Apple address this issue by implementing stricter input validation and boundary checks during image parsing operations, ensuring that memory access remains within allocated buffer boundaries. This type of vulnerability represents a classic example of how image processing libraries can become attack vectors, particularly when dealing with malformed or malicious input files that could trigger memory corruption conditions. The exploitation potential of such vulnerabilities makes them particularly dangerous as they can be delivered through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or file transfers, making comprehensive mitigation essential for all affected platforms. Organizations should prioritize deployment of these security updates across all affected Apple systems to prevent potential exploitation and maintain operational security posture.