# CVE-2020-9873: Memory corruption in iCloud for Windows

> Processing a maliciously crafted image can lead to arbitrary code execution via an out-of-bounds read in Apple operating systems and applications.

- **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:** 22 Oct 2020
- **Updated:** 4 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-8q3q-gp2g-fcxf

## What is CVE-2020-9873?

CVE-2020-9873 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Apple Icloud, published on 22 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

An out-of-bounds read was addressed with improved input validation. This issue is fixed in iOS 13.6 and iPadOS 13.6, macOS Catalina 10.15.6, tvOS 13.4.8, watchOS 6.2.8, iTunes 12.10.8 for Windows, iCloud for Windows 11.3, iCloud for Windows 7.20. Processing a maliciously crafted image may lead to arbitrary code execution.

Weakness: CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-9873?

It affects 7 products.


Products: Apple Icloud, Apple Ipados, Apple Iphone Os, Apple Itunes, Apple Mac Os X, Apple Tvos, Apple Watchos.

## How do I fix CVE-2020-9873?

No fix has been published for CVE-2020-9873 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2020-9873 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2020-9873 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Apple Icloud

- [CVE-2019-8506](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-8506/): Apple Multiple Products Type Confusion (high 8.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2020-27932](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-27932/): Apple Multiple Products Type Confusion (high 7.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2019-8746](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-8746/): Memory corruption in iOS (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2019-8749](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-8749/): Memory corruption in iOS (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2019-8756](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-8756/): Memory corruption in iOS (critical 9.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2020-9873 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2020-9873 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Apple Icloud, published on 22 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-2020-9873 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Apple Icloud. 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-2020-9873/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-9873/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2020-9873
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-9873
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2020-9873

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-9873/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.