CVE-2020-9783 in iCloud
Summary
by MITRE
A use after free issue was addressed with improved memory management. This issue is fixed in iOS 13.4 and iPadOS 13.4, tvOS 13.4, Safari 13.1, iTunes for Windows 12.10.5, iCloud for Windows 10.9.3, iCloud for Windows 7.18. Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-9783 represents a critical use-after-free flaw that existed in Apple's web browser and operating system components. This memory safety issue stems from improper handling of dynamically allocated memory regions that are freed but subsequently accessed by malicious code. The vulnerability affects multiple Apple platforms including iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and various Safari versions, indicating a widespread impact across Apple's ecosystem. The flaw allows attackers to exploit memory management weaknesses that could lead to arbitrary code execution when processing specially crafted web content.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which describes use-after-free conditions where memory is accessed after it has been freed, and falls under the broader category of memory safety issues that pose significant security risks. When a web page contains maliciously crafted content designed to trigger this specific memory management flaw, the browser's rendering engine may inadvertently execute code from freed memory locations, providing attackers with a pathway for remote code execution. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through standard web browsing activities without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a compromised website.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-9783 extends beyond simple browser exploitation, as it affects the fundamental security posture of Apple devices that rely on these components for web browsing functionality. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to install malware, escalate privileges, or gain unauthorized access to user data without physical presence or complex social engineering tactics. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is heightened by the fact that it requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where users may inadvertently encounter compromised content. The affected platforms include not only consumer devices but also professional and enterprise-grade systems that depend on Apple's security implementations.
Apple's remediation for this vulnerability involved implementing improved memory management practices that prevent the reuse of freed memory regions and enhance the browser's security sandboxing mechanisms. The fix specifically addresses the memory management issues present in iOS 13.4, iPadOS 13.4, tvOS 13.4, Safari 13.1, iTunes for Windows 12.10.5, iCloud for Windows 10.9.3, and iCloud for Windows 7.18. Organizations should prioritize deployment of these updates across their device fleets, as the vulnerability represents a significant threat vector that could be exploited by sophisticated threat actors. The mitigation strategy emphasizes the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, aligning with ATT&CK framework techniques related to privilege escalation and execution through web-based attacks.