# CVE-2020-9972: Memory corruption in iOS and iPadOS

> Processing a maliciously crafted USD file can cause application termination or arbitrary code execution on iOS and iPadOS devices.

- **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:** 8 Dec 2020
- **Updated:** 4 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-6rcv-8mm2-fprm

## What is CVE-2020-9972?

CVE-2020-9972 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Apple Ipad Os, published on 8 Dec 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 buffer overflow issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in iOS 14.0 and iPadOS 14.0. Processing a maliciously crafted USD file may lead to unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution.

Weakness: CWE-120 (Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-9972?

It affects 4 products.


Products: Apple Ipad Os, Apple Iphone Os, Apple Macos, Apple Tvos.

## How do I fix CVE-2020-9972?

No fix has been published for CVE-2020-9972 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2020-9972 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2020-9972 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Apple Ipad Os

- [CVE-2021-1794](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-1794/): Memory corruption in iOS and iPadOS (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2021-1795](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-1795/): Memory corruption in iOS and iPadOS (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2021-1796](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-1796/): Memory corruption in iOS and iPadOS (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2021-1818](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-1818/): Memory corruption in iOS and iPadOS (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2024-23255](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-23255/): Auth bypass in iOS and iPadOS (critical 9.1)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2020-9972 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2020-9972 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Apple Ipad Os, published on 8 Dec 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-2020-9972 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Apple Ipad Os. 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-2020-9972/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-9972/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2020-9972
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-9972
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2020-9972

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-9972/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.