CVE-2020-9972 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 12/09/2020
A buffer overflow issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in iOS 14.0 and iPadOS 14.0. Processing a maliciously crafted USD file may lead to unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-9972 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in Apple's iOS and iPadOS operating systems that was remediated in version 14.0. This issue stems from inadequate memory handling mechanisms when processing Universal Scene Description files, which are commonly used for 3D graphics and scene representation in various applications. The flaw exists within the system's file parsing infrastructure where insufficient bounds checking allows maliciously crafted USD files to trigger memory corruption. According to CWE-121, this vulnerability manifests as a classic stack-based buffer overflow, where an attacker can overwrite adjacent memory locations through improper input validation. The vulnerability impacts the core operating system components responsible for rendering 3D content and file processing, making it particularly dangerous as it operates at the system level rather than within individual applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-9972 extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially enable arbitrary code execution, representing a severe privilege escalation vector. Attackers can craft malicious USD files that, when opened by vulnerable systems, cause the application to allocate insufficient memory buffers while processing the file structure. This memory corruption can overwrite critical program pointers, return addresses, or function data, allowing for remote code execution. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes exploitation of software vulnerabilities for code execution, and specifically maps to T1059 where adversaries leverage system-level vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access. The flaw's exploitation requires minimal user interaction, typically through social engineering tactics where users open maliciously crafted files, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where 3D content is frequently shared.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-9972 center on immediate system updates to iOS 14.0 and iPadOS 14.0 where Apple implemented enhanced memory handling and bounds checking mechanisms. Organizations should deploy comprehensive patch management policies to ensure all endpoints receive the security updates promptly, as the vulnerability affects the core operating system rather than individual applications. Additional protective measures include implementing network-based file filtering to block suspicious USD files, particularly those originating from untrusted sources or exhibiting unusual file characteristics. Security teams should monitor for potential exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis, focusing on unusual file access patterns or attempts to process 3D content files. The remediation addresses the underlying CWE-121 vulnerability through improved stack protection mechanisms and enhanced input validation routines that prevent buffer overflows during file parsing operations. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of potentially malicious 3D content processing applications and establish incident response procedures specifically designed to handle potential exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability.