# CVE-2020-9926: Use after free in iOS and iPadOS

> Attackers can execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service via maliciously crafted XML due to a use-after-free vulnerability in Apple operating systems.

- **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:** 2 Apr 2021
- **Updated:** 4 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-q59g-53fj-p9fq

## What is CVE-2020-9926?

CVE-2020-9926 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Apple Icloud, published on 2 Apr 2021. 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 use after free issue was addressed with improved memory management. This issue is fixed in iOS 13.6 and iPadOS 13.6, tvOS 13.4.8, watchOS 6.2.8, iCloud for Windows 7.20, macOS Catalina 10.15.6, Security Update 2020-004 Mojave, Security Update 2020-004 High Sierra. Processing maliciously crafted XML may lead to an unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution.

Weakness: CWE-416 (Use After Free)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-9926?

It affects 6 products.


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

## How do I fix CVE-2020-9926?

No fix has been published for CVE-2020-9926 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2020-9926 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2020-9926 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-2020-9926 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2020-9926 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Apple Icloud, published on 2 Apr 2021. 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-2020-9926 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-2020-9926/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-9926/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2020-9926
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-9926
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2020-9926

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-9926/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.