CVE-2020-29615 in tvOS
Summary
by MITRE • 04/03/2021
An out-of-bounds read was addressed with improved input validation. This issue is fixed in watchOS 7.2, 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 image may lead to a denial of service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-29615 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw that affects multiple Apple operating systems including watchOS, macOS, iOS, and tvOS. This type of vulnerability occurs when a program attempts to access memory locations outside the bounds of allocated buffers, potentially leading to system instability and denial of service conditions. The issue was specifically addressed through enhanced input validation mechanisms that prevent malformed image data from causing memory access violations. The vulnerability affects Apple's ecosystem across several major platforms, with fixes released in watchOS 7.2, macOS Big Sur 11.1, Security Update 2020-001 for Catalina, Security Update 2020-007 for Mojave, iOS 14.3, and iPadOS 14.3. The flaw demonstrates a classic software security weakness that aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions in software systems. This vulnerability type is particularly concerning in image processing contexts as it can be exploited through maliciously crafted image files that, when processed by affected systems, trigger the out-of-bounds memory access.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-29615 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially compromise system stability and user experience across Apple's mobile and desktop platforms. When a malicious image file is processed by an affected system, the out-of-bounds read can cause applications to crash or become unresponsive, effectively denying users access to their devices or specific applications. This vulnerability particularly affects image processing applications and systems that handle user-uploaded content, making it a significant concern for enterprise environments where image handling is prevalent. The exploitability of this vulnerability requires a user to interact with a maliciously crafted image file, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for legitimate user interaction. The fact that multiple Apple platforms require patching indicates a systemic issue in the image processing libraries that handle various image formats, suggesting that the vulnerability may be present in core image handling components shared across Apple's operating systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-29615 focus primarily on applying the available security updates from Apple, which provide the necessary input validation improvements to prevent out-of-bounds memory access. Organizations should prioritize patching across all affected platforms including iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS to ensure complete protection against this vulnerability. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management policies that include regular monitoring for security updates and immediate deployment of fixes across enterprise environments. Additional defensive measures include implementing content filtering mechanisms that scan image files for potential malicious content before processing, though this approach is less effective than proper input validation. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-125 and its exploitation patterns align with common attack vectors that target image processing components, making it essential for security teams to monitor for similar vulnerabilities in other image handling libraries. Network administrators should also consider implementing sandboxing measures for image processing applications to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, ensuring that even if a malicious image manages to bypass input validation, the system remains protected through isolation techniques.