CVE-2020-9904 in watchOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/23/2020
A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved state management. This issue is fixed in iOS 13.6 and iPadOS 13.6, macOS Catalina 10.15.6, tvOS 13.4.8, watchOS 6.2.8. An application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/03/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-9904 represents a critical memory corruption flaw that existed within Apple's operating systems, specifically affecting iOS 13.5 and earlier versions, iPadOS 13.5 and earlier, macOS Catalina 10.15.5 and earlier, tvOS 13.4.7 and earlier, and watchOS 6.2.7 and earlier. This issue stems from inadequate state management within the kernel-level components of these systems, creating a pathway for malicious applications to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code with the highest level of system access. The flaw demonstrates the classic characteristics of a kernel-level vulnerability that can fundamentally compromise system integrity and security posture.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under the category of memory corruption issues, which are commonly classified as CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, or similar memory management flaws that allow attackers to manipulate memory layout and execution flow. The root cause lies in improper state handling mechanisms within the kernel's memory management subsystem, where insufficient validation of application inputs or improper boundary checks allow for memory corruption that can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to kernel space. This type of vulnerability typically requires an application to be running with elevated privileges or to be able to trigger specific conditions that lead to memory corruption.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-9904 is severe and potentially devastating for affected systems, as it allows an application to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, effectively bypassing all standard security protections and access controls. This privilege escalation capability means that malicious software could gain complete control over the affected device, enabling activities such as data exfiltration, persistent backdoor installation, system monitoring, and complete compromise of user privacy and security. The vulnerability's exploitation potential aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, privilege escalation, and specifically targets the kernel as a primary attack vector. Organizations and users with affected systems face significant risk of complete system compromise, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where sensitive data may be stored on iOS, macOS, or watchOS devices.
Apple addressed this vulnerability through comprehensive updates released as part of iOS 13.6, iPadOS 13.6, macOS Catalina 10.15.6, tvOS 13.4.8, and watchOS 6.2.8. These updates implemented improved state management mechanisms that prevent the memory corruption conditions that previously enabled kernel privilege escalation. The fix likely involved enhanced input validation, improved memory boundary checking, and strengthened kernel state management protocols to prevent the specific conditions that allowed exploitation. System administrators and users should immediately deploy these security updates across all affected devices, particularly in enterprise environments where mobile devices may be used to access sensitive corporate networks or handle confidential information. The vulnerability's resolution demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and highlights the risks associated with running outdated operating system versions that may contain unpatched kernel-level vulnerabilities.