Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2020-9859 is an Apple kernel vulnerability that could let a local application gain kernel-level code execution. Apple fixed it in June 2020 updates for iOS, iPadOS, macOS Catalina, tvOS, and watchOS. CISA lists it in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, so treat unpatched legacy Apple devices as urgent exposure.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation for any remaining legacy Apple devices. The business risk is privilege escalation to kernel control on an endpoint, with known exploitation confirmed by CISA KEV. This is not a new issue, but stale Apple devices can remain exposed for years.
Technical view
The CVE describes a memory consumption issue, mapped to CWE-415, addressed by improved memory handling. CVSS 3.1 is 7.8 with local attack vector, low complexity, low privileges, no user interaction, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. Successful exploitation may execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on Apple devices running affected versions before iOS/iPadOS 13.5.1, macOS Catalina 10.15.5 Supplemental Update, tvOS 13.4.6, or watchOS 6.2.6. The source data does not specify exact vulnerable build ranges.
Exploitation context
CISA KEV inclusion supports known exploitation in the wild. The CVSS vector indicates exploitation requires local application execution with low privileges, not a network-only attack path. The bundle does not provide exploit details, campaign context, or affected component internals.
Researcher notes
Available sources are sparse. Apple states the impact and fixed releases but does not provide vulnerable build ranges or technical root-cause detail beyond improved memory handling. Treat validation as version-based unless vendor advisories or internal telemetry provide deeper component evidence.
Mitigation direction
- Update Apple devices to the fixed releases named by Apple.
- Prioritize internet-facing, executive, developer, and unmanaged Apple endpoints.
- Remove or isolate devices that cannot receive Apple security updates.
- Check current Apple guidance for supported equivalent fixed releases.
- Use MDM to enforce minimum OS versions across managed devices.
Validation and detection
- Inventory iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS versions.
- Flag devices below Apple’s named fixed releases.
- Confirm CISA KEV tracking for CVE-2020-9859 in vulnerability management.
- Review MDM and EDR telemetry for untrusted local apps on unpatched devices.
- Document unsupported Apple devices requiring replacement or isolation.
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.
CWE-415: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution 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-2020-9859 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- Yes
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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.
CISA KEV status
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://support.apple.com/HT211214CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2020-9859CVE reference · government-resource
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.
Double Free
Double Free represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.