# CVE-2019-8539: Memory corruption in macOS

> A malicious application can execute arbitrary code with system privileges due to a memory initialization issue in macOS.

- **Severity:** High 7.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 27 Oct 2020
- **Updated:** 4 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-62mr-jqw4-7mmr

## What is CVE-2019-8539?

CVE-2019-8539 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Apple Mac Os X, published on 27 Oct 2020. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

A memory initialization issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Mojave 10.14.6, Security Update 2019-004 High Sierra, Security Update 2019-004 Sierra. A malicious application may be able to execute arbitrary code with system privileges.

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2019-8539?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Apple Mac Os X.

## How do I fix CVE-2019-8539?

No fix has been published for CVE-2019-8539 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2019-8539 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2019-8539 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Apple Mac Os X

- [CVE-2014-7169](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2014-7169/): GNU Bourne-Again Shell (Bash) Arbitrary Code Execution (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2014-6271](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2014-6271/): GNU Bourne-Again Shell (Bash) Arbitrary Code Execution (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2012-1823](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2012-1823/): PHP-CGI Query String Parameter (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2021-30713](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-30713/): Apple macOS Unspecified (high 7.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2019-8526](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-8526/): Apple macOS Use-After-Free (high 7.8, exploited in the wild)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2019-8539 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2019-8539 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Apple Mac Os X, published on 27 Oct 2020. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2019-8539 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Apple Mac Os X. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-8539/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-8539/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2019-8539
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-8539
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2019-8539

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-8539/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.