CVE-2020-29614 in tvOS
Summary
by MITRE • 04/03/2021
This issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in macOS Big Sur 11.2, Security Update 2021-001 Catalina, Security Update 2021-001 Mojave, macOS Big Sur 11.1, Security Update 2020-001 Catalina, Security Update 2020-007 Mojave, iOS 14.3 and iPadOS 14.3, tvOS 14.3. Processing a maliciously crafted file may lead to heap corruption.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2021
This vulnerability represents a heap corruption issue that emerged in Apple's operating systems, specifically affecting macOS and iOS versions prior to the mentioned security updates. The flaw manifests when the system processes maliciously crafted files, potentially leading to unauthorized memory manipulation and system instability. The vulnerability was classified as a heap corruption issue, which falls under the broader category of memory safety vulnerabilities that can enable arbitrary code execution or system compromise. The security implications extend across multiple Apple platforms including macOS Big Sur, Catalina, and Mojave, as well as iOS and tvOS versions, indicating a widespread impact across the Apple ecosystem.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves improper input validation during file processing operations, allowing attackers to craft malicious files that trigger heap memory corruption when opened or processed by affected systems. This type of vulnerability typically occurs when the system fails to properly validate file structures or content before allocating memory for processing, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate heap memory layout through carefully constructed input data. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with heap-based buffer overflow conditions or memory corruption patterns that can be exploited to overwrite critical memory regions, potentially leading to privilege escalation or remote code execution scenarios. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-122 Heap-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflows that occur in heap memory regions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability, as heap corruption can provide attackers with pathways to escalate privileges or execute arbitrary code within the target system. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability through social engineering campaigns distributing malicious files or by exploiting the vulnerability in web browsers or file processing applications. The widespread presence across multiple Apple platforms means organizations using Apple devices for business operations could face significant security risks, particularly in environments where users might encounter malicious files through email attachments, file downloads, or web browsing activities. The vulnerability also impacts Apple's security model, as it represents a failure in the system's input sanitization mechanisms that should prevent malformed data from causing memory corruption.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve applying the security updates released by Apple, which include macOS Big Sur 11.2, Security Update 2021-001 for Catalina and Mojave, iOS 14.3 and iPadOS 14.3, and tvOS 14.3. These updates contain improved validation checks that prevent the processing of malicious files from causing heap corruption. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as email filtering, web content filtering, and user education to reduce the risk of encountering malicious files. Network monitoring and endpoint detection systems should be configured to identify potential exploitation attempts, particularly those involving file processing activities. The remediation process requires careful attention to ensure all affected Apple devices receive the appropriate security updates, as the vulnerability affects multiple versions and platforms within Apple's ecosystem, making comprehensive patch management essential for maintaining system security.