Apple watchOS up to 5.3.8/6.2.8/7.0.3 Kernel type confusion

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability categorized as critical has been discovered in Apple watchOS up to 5.3.8/6.2.8/7.0.3. The impacted element is an unknown function of the component Kernel. The manipulation results in type confusion. This vulnerability is cataloged as CVE-2020-27932. The attack must be initiated from a local position. Furthermore, there is an exploit available. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Apple watchOS up to 5.3.8/6.2.8/7.0.3 (Smartwatch Operating System). Affected is an unknown functionality of the component Kernel. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a type confusion vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-843. The product allocates or initializes a resource such as a pointer, object, or variable using one type, but it later accesses that resource using a type that is incompatible with the original type. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

A type confusion issue was addressed with improved state handling. 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. A malicious application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.

The weakness was shared 11/05/2020 with Google Project Zero as HT211928 as confirmed advisory (Website). The advisory is shared for download at support.apple.com. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2020-27932. The exploitability is told to be easy. The attack needs to be approached locally. Technical details are unknown but an exploit is available. The advisory points out:

A malicious application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Apple is aware of reports that an exploit for this issue exists in the wild.

It is declared as attacked. This issue was added on 11/03/2021 to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog with a due date of 05/03/2022:

Apply updates per vendor instructions.

Upgrading to version 5.3.9, 6.2.9 or 7.1 eliminates this vulnerability. A possible mitigation has been published immediately after the disclosure of the vulnerability. The advisory contains the following remark:

A type confusion issue was addressed with improved state handling.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Zero-Day.cz (591). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Productinfo

Type

• Smartwatch Operating System

Vendor

• Apple

Name

• watchOS

Version

• 5.3.0
• 5.3.1
• 5.3.2
• 5.3.3
• 5.3.4
• 5.3.5
• 5.3.6
• 5.3.7
• 5.3.8
• 6.2.0
• 6.2.1
• 6.2.2
• 6.2.3
• 6.2.4
• 6.2.5
• 6.2.6
• 6.2.7
• 6.2.8
• 7.0.0
• 7.0.1
• 7.0.2
• 7.0.3

License

• commercial

Website

• Vendor: https://www.apple.com/

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VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

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