CVE-2020-9965 in tvOS
Summary
by MITRE • 12/09/2020
An out-of-bounds read was addressed with improved input validation. This issue is fixed in macOS Big Sur 11.0.1, watchOS 7.0, tvOS 14.0, iOS 14.0 and iPadOS 14.0. An application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2020
This vulnerability represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw that exists within Apple's operating system kernels, specifically affecting versions prior to the security updates released in 2020. The issue stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within kernel-level components that process data from user-space applications. When an application provides malformed input to kernel functions, the system fails to properly bounds-check array accesses or memory operations, leading to unauthorized memory reads beyond allocated boundaries. This particular vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions in software systems. The flaw allows for potential privilege escalation from user-level processes to kernel-level execution, creating a severe attack surface that could be exploited by malicious applications or adversaries.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-9965 extends far beyond simple data corruption or application crashes. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain complete control over the affected system through kernel-level code execution. This represents a fundamental compromise of system security, as kernel privileges provide unrestricted access to all system resources, memory, and hardware components. The vulnerability's exploitation could enable adversaries to install persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, modify system integrity, or establish covert communication channels. Such capabilities align with the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques, particularly those involving kernel exploits and system-level persistence mechanisms. The affected platforms include all versions of iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS before their respective security updates, making a broad range of Apple devices potentially vulnerable to this class of attack.
The fix implemented by Apple addresses the core validation issue through enhanced bounds checking and input sanitization within kernel memory management routines. The security patches released with macOS Big Sur 11.0.1, watchOS 7.0, tvOS 14.0, iOS 14.0, and iPadOS 14.0 introduce proper input validation mechanisms that prevent the out-of-bounds memory access conditions. These updates typically involve modifications to kernel APIs that process user-supplied data, ensuring that all memory operations respect defined boundaries and validate input parameters before execution. Organizations and users must prioritize immediate deployment of these security updates to mitigate the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of kernel security in modern operating systems, where even minor input validation gaps can lead to complete system compromise. System administrators should monitor for these updates through official Apple channels and ensure comprehensive deployment across all affected devices to maintain operational security and prevent potential exploitation by threat actors.