Apple iOS/iPadOS up to 14.1 FontParser memory corruption

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Apple iOS and iPadOS up to 14.1. This affects an unknown part of the component FontParser. The manipulation leads to memory corruption. This vulnerability is referenced as CVE-2020-27930. Remote exploitation of the attack is possible. Furthermore, an exploit is available. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Apple iOS and iPadOS up to 14.1 (Smartphone Operating System). It has been rated as critical. This issue affects an unknown functionality of the component FontParser. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-119. The product performs operations on a memory buffer, but it can read from or write to a memory location that is outside of the intended boundary of the buffer. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved input validation. This issue is fixed in macOS Big Sur 11.0.1, watchOS 7.1, iOS 12.4.9, watchOS 6.2.9, Security Update 2020-006 High Sierra, Security Update 2020-006 Mojave, iOS 14.2 and iPadOS 14.2, watchOS 5.3.9, macOS Catalina 10.15.7 Supplemental Update, macOS Catalina 10.15.7 Update. Processing a maliciously crafted font may lead to arbitrary code execution.

The weakness was published 11/05/2020 with Google Project Zero as HT211929 as confirmed advisory (Website). It is possible to read the advisory at support.apple.com. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2020-27930. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack may be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is needed for a successful exploitation. It demands that the victim is doing some kind of user interaction. Technical details are unknown but a private exploit is available. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 01/29/2025). It is expected to see the exploit prices for this product increasing in the near future. The advisory points out:

Processing a maliciously crafted font may lead to arbitrary code execution. Apple is aware of reports that an exploit for this issue exists in the wild.

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 14.2 eliminates this vulnerability. A possible mitigation has been published immediately after the disclosure of the vulnerability. The advisory contains the following remark:

A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved input validation.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Zero-Day.cz (590). Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

• Smartphone Operating System

Vendor

• Apple

Name

• iOS
• iPadOS

Version

• 14.0
• 14.1

License

• commercial

Website

• Vendor: https://www.apple.com/

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Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

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