Apple iOS/iPadOS up to 13.5.0 Kernel Application resource consumption

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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8.1$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Apple iOS and iPadOS up to 13.5.0 and classified as critical. Affected is an unknown function of the component Kernel. Performing a manipulation as part of Application results in resource consumption. This vulnerability was named CVE-2020-9859. The attack needs to be approached locally. In addition, an exploit is available. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Apple iOS and iPadOS up to 13.5.0 (Smartphone Operating System). This affects an unknown part of the component Kernel. The manipulation as part of a Application leads to a resource consumption vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-400. The product does not properly control the allocation and maintenance of a limited resource, thereby enabling an actor to influence the amount of resources consumed, eventually leading to the exhaustion of available resources. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

A memory consumption issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in iOS 13.5.1 and iPadOS 13.5.1, macOS Catalina 10.15.5 Supplemental Update, tvOS 13.4.6, watchOS 6.2.6. An application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.

The weakness was presented 06/01/2020 by unc0ver as HT211214 as confirmed advisory (Website). It is possible to read the advisory at support.apple.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2020-9859 since 03/02/2020. Attacking locally is a requirement. A authentication is necessary for exploitation. Technical details are unknown but an exploit is available.

It is declared as attacked. The CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog lists this issue since 11/03/2021 with a due date of 05/03/2022:

Apply updates per vendor instructions.

Upgrading to version 13.5.1 eliminates this vulnerability. A possible mitigation has been published immediately after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at EUVD (EUVD-2020-30638). See VDB-156244, VDB-156245 and VDB-156246 for similar entries. Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 8.1
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 8.0

VulDB Base Score: 8.8
VulDB Temp Score: 8.4
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 7.8
NVD Vector: 🔍

CNA Base Score: 7.8
CNA Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
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NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Resource consumption
CWE: CWE-400 / CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

Availability: 🔍
Status: Attacked

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

KEV Added: 🔍
KEV Due: 🔍
KEV Remediation: 🔍
KEV Ransomware: 🔍
KEV Notice: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

Reaction Time: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Exposure Time: 🔍

Upgrade: iOS/iPadOS 13.5.1

Timelineinfo

03/02/2020 🔍
06/01/2020 +91 days 🔍
06/01/2020 +0 days 🔍
06/06/2020 +5 days 🔍
07/29/2025 +1879 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: apple.com

Advisory: HT211214
Researcher: unc0ver
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2020-9859 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2020-9859
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-156243
EUVD: 🔍
scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20150917
See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 06/06/2020 09:18
Updated: 07/29/2025 04:38
Changes: 06/06/2020 09:18 (46), 06/06/2020 09:22 (18), 04/20/2024 11:02 (28), 09/10/2024 22:45 (2), 01/29/2025 20:46 (19), 07/29/2025 04:38 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

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