CVE-2020-9859 Apple Multiple Products Code Execution
An application can execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges due to a double-free memory corruption issue in Apple operating systems.
- Exploited in the wild
- Since 3 Nov 2021
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2020-9859?
CVE-2020-9859 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Apple Ipados, published on 5 Jun 2020. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
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.
Weakness: CWE-415
Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-9859?
It affects 5 products.
Products include Apple Ipados, Apple Iphone Os, Apple Mac Os X, Apple Tvos, Apple Watchos.
How do I fix CVE-2020-9859?
No fix has been published for CVE-2020-9859 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 3 May 2022.
Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.
Is CVE-2020-9859 being exploited?
Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2020-9859 in the wild since at least 3 Nov 2021.
Other vulnerabilities in Apple Ipados
- CVE-2025-43300 Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS Out-of-Bounds Write
- CVE-2025-24201 Apple Multiple Products WebKit Out-of-Bounds Write
- CVE-2025-24085 Apple Multiple Products Use-After-Free
- CVE-2025-31200 Apple Multiple Products Memory Corruption
- CVE-2025-31201 Apple Multiple Products Arbitrary Read and Write
Sources
Also known as GHSA-frwv-8c9x-7766.