CVE-2020-27950
CVE-2020-27950 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Apple Ipados with a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5. It is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, confirming it has been exploited in the wild (added 2021-11-03). The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-665.
Key facts
- Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 5.5)
- CVSS v2: 7.1
- EPSS exploit prediction: 17% (97th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Yes — listed in CISA KEV (added 2021-11-03)
- EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2020-20443
- EU exploitation: Flagged exploited in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (since 2021-11-03)
- Weakness: CWE-665
- Affected product: Apple Ipados
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
A memory initialization issue was addressed. This issue is fixed in macOS Big Sur 11.0.1, watchOS 7.1, iOS 12.4.9, watchOS 6.2.9, Security Update 2020-006 High Sierra, Security Update 2020-006 Mojave, iOS 14.2 and iPadOS 14.2, watchOS 5.3.9, macOS Catalina 10.15.7 Supplemental Update, macOS Catalina 10.15.7 Update. A malicious application may be able to disclose kernel memory.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2020-27950?
- A memory initialization issue was addressed. This issue is fixed in macOS Big Sur 11.0.1, watchOS 7.1, iOS 12.4.9, watchOS 6.2.9, Security Update 2020-006 High Sierra, Security Update 2020-006 Mojave, iOS 14.2 and iPadOS 14.2, watchOS 5.3.9, macOS Catalina 10.15.7 Supplemental Update, macOS Catalina 10.15.7 Update. A malicious application may be able to disclose kernel memory.
- How severe is CVE-2020-27950?
- CVE-2020-27950 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.
- Is CVE-2020-27950 being actively exploited?
- Yes. CVE-2020-27950 is on CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added on 2021-11-03, which means active exploitation has been confirmed. It should be prioritised for remediation.
- What products are affected by CVE-2020-27950?
- CVE-2020-27950 primarily affects Apple Ipados. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2020-27950?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Because this CVE is known to be actively exploited, treat remediation as urgent — CISA KEV typically sets a short remediation deadline.
- Does CVE-2020-27950 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
- Yes. CVE-2020-27950 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2020-20443. It is also flagged as exploited in the EUVD (since 2021-11-03).
- When was CVE-2020-27950 published?
- CVE-2020-27950 was published on 2020-12-08 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/161296/XNU-Kernel-Mach-Message-Trailers-Memory-Disclosure.html
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Dec/32
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211928
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211929
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211931
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211940
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211944
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211945
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211946
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211947
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2020-27950
Affected products (4)
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:ipados:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:watchos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
More vulnerabilities in Apple Ipados
- CVE-2025-43300 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved bounds checking. This issue is fixed in iOS 15.8.5 and iPadOS…
- CVE-2025-24201 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved checks to prevent unauthorized actions. This issue is fixed in…
- CVE-2025-24085 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): A use after free issue was addressed with improved memory management. This issue is fixed in iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3,…
- CVE-2022-32845 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): This issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in watchOS 8.7, iOS 15.6 and iPadOS 15.6, macOS…
- CVE-2019-8779 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): A logic issue applied the incorrect restrictions. This issue was addressed by updating the logic to apply the correct…
- CVE-2026-28858 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): A buffer overflow was addressed with improved bounds checking. This issue is fixed in iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4. A…
All CVEs affecting Apple Ipados →
Other CWE-665 (Improper Initialization) vulnerabilities
- CVE-2021-33635 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): When malicious images are pulled by isula pull, attackers can execute arbitrary code.
- CVE-2022-37128 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): In D-Link DIR-816 A2_v1.10CNB04.img the network can be initialized without authentication via /goform/wizard_end.
- CVE-2021-41264 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): OpenZeppelin Contracts is a library for smart contract development. In affected versions upgradeable contracts using…
- CVE-2019-10196 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): A flaw was found in http-proxy-agent, prior to version 2.1.0. It was discovered http-proxy-agent passes an auth option…
- CVE-2015-8367 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): The phase_one_correct function in Libraw before 0.17.1 allows attackers to cause memory errors and possibly execute…
- CVE-2019-14271 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): In Docker 19.03.x before 19.03.1 linked against the GNU C Library (aka glibc), code injection can occur when the…
Browse all CWE-665 (Improper Initialization) vulnerabilities →