Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This Apple issue could let an attacker run code if a vulnerable Mac processes a maliciously crafted font file. Apple says the issue was fixed with improved state management in Catalina and Mojave security updates. The sources do not provide CVSS, affected version ranges, or active exploitation evidence.
Executive priority
Treat this as a high-priority legacy macOS patch verification item. The impact is code execution, but the available evidence does not show active exploitation or detailed scoring.
Technical view
CVE-2020-27942 is described as a logic issue in Apple software where processing a malicious font may lead to arbitrary code execution. Apple lists fixes in Security Update 2021-002 Catalina and Security Update 2021-003 Mojave. Public details do not identify a CWE, CVSS score, or vulnerable component beyond font processing.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on macOS Catalina or Mojave systems that have not received the named Apple security updates and can process untrusted font files.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or any cited evidence of active exploitation. The known attack condition is processing a maliciously crafted font file.
Researcher notes
Public detail is sparse: Apple describes a logic issue addressed with state management improvements. The bundle lacks CVSS, CWE, vulnerable component naming, proof-of-concept status, and affected version ranges beyond the named Catalina and Mojave updates.
Mitigation direction
- Install Apple Security Update 2021-002 Catalina where applicable.
- Install Apple Security Update 2021-003 Mojave where applicable.
- Check Apple guidance for any superseding updates or platform-specific instructions.
- Reduce handling of untrusted font files until affected systems are verified updated.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Catalina and Mojave systems in managed and unmanaged fleets.
- Confirm the named Apple security updates or superseding fixes are installed.
- Review endpoint controls for file intake paths that process fonts.
- Document exceptions for systems that cannot be updated.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
Execution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2020-27942 mapping review
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Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS and timeline data
No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212326CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212327CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.