How severe is CVE-2020-3853?

CVE-2020-3853 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-3853 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (68th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-3853?

CVE-2020-3853 primarily affects Apple Ipados. In total, 5 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-3853?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2020-3853 published?

CVE-2020-3853 was published on 2020-02-27 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-3853

CVE-2020-3853 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apple Ipados with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-843.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 9.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (68th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-843
Affected product: Apple Ipados
Published: 2020-02-27
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A type confusion issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in iOS 13.3.1 and iPadOS 13.3.1, macOS Catalina 10.15.3, tvOS 13.3.1, watchOS 6.1.2. A malicious application may be able to execute arbitrary code with system privileges.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-3853?: A type confusion issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in iOS 13.3.1 and iPadOS 13.3.1, macOS Catalina 10.15.3, tvOS 13.3.1, watchOS 6.1.2. A malicious application may be able to execute arbitrary code with system privileges.
How severe is CVE-2020-3853?: CVE-2020-3853 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-3853 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (68th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-3853?: CVE-2020-3853 primarily affects Apple Ipados. In total, 5 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-3853?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2020-3853 published?: CVE-2020-3853 was published on 2020-02-27 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (5)

cpe:2.3:o:apple:ipados:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:tvos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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-843 vulnerabilities

CVE-2021-33970 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Buffer Overflow vulnerability in Qihoo 360 Chrome v13.0.2170.0 allows attacker to escalate priveleges.
CVE-2010-2299 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The Clipboard::DispatchObject function in app/clipboard/clipboard.cc in Google Chrome before 5.0.375.70 does not…
CVE-2023-22579 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): Due to improper parameter filtering in the sequalize js library, can a attacker peform injection.
CVE-2026-13776 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Type Confusion in Dawn in Google Chrome prior to 150.0.7871.47 allowed a remote attacker who had compromised the…
CVE-2026-43038 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ipv6: icmp: clear skb2->cb[] in…
CVE-2025-70023 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): An issue pertaining to CWE-843: Access of Resource Using Incompatible Type was discovered in transloadit uppy v0.25.6.

Browse all CWE-843 vulnerabilities →