How severe is CVE-2020-9817?

CVE-2020-9817 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-2020-9817 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (61st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-9817?

CVE-2020-9817 primarily affects Apple Mac Os X. In total, 22 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-9817?

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-2020-9817 published?

CVE-2020-9817 was published on 2020-06-09 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-9817

CVE-2020-9817 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apple Mac Os X 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-276.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 9.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (61st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-276
Affected product: Apple Mac Os X
Published: 2020-06-09
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A permissions issue existed. This issue was addressed with improved permission validation. This issue is fixed in macOS Catalina 10.15.5. A malicious application may be able to gain root privileges.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-9817?: A permissions issue existed. This issue was addressed with improved permission validation. This issue is fixed in macOS Catalina 10.15.5. A malicious application may be able to gain root privileges.
How severe is CVE-2020-9817?: CVE-2020-9817 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-2020-9817 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (61st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-9817?: CVE-2020-9817 primarily affects Apple Mac Os X. In total, 22 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-9817?: 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-2020-9817 published?: CVE-2020-9817 was published on 2020-06-09 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (22)

cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:security_update_2018-002:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:security_update_2018-003:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:security_update_2019-001:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:security_update_2019-002:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:security_update_2019-003:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:security_update_2019-004:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:security_update_2019-005:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:security_update_2019-006:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:security_update_2019-007:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:security_update_2020-001:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:security_update_2020-002:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2019-001:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2019-002:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2019-004:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2019-005:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2019-006:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2019-007:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2020-001:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2020-002:*:*:*:*:*:*

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