CVE-2020-27937Public exploit

Private data access via Directory Utility plugin injection

Published Apr 2, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

TCC bypass in Directory Utility in Apple macOS allows local users to access private data through a malicious application. Directory Utility loads an untrusted plug-in without hardened runtime or library validation, letting injected code inherit its private entitlement and rewrite NFSHomeDirectory. Local code execution is required; a forged TCC database can then grant access to Desktop, Documents, camera, microphone, photos, and other protected data.

CVSS severity5.5
Medium
EPSS probability1.28%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

TCC bypass in Directory Utility in Apple macOS allows local users to access private data through a malicious application. Directory Utility loads an untrusted plug-in without hardened runtime or library validation, letting injected code inherit its private entitlement and rewrite NFSHomeDirectory. Local code execution is required; a forged TCC database can then grant access to Desktop, Documents, camera, microphone, photos, and other protected data.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-27937
Published
Apr 2, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Apple
Product
macOS
Classifications
T1005
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 2, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=unspecified <11.0
  2. Affected versionversion=unspecified <11.2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <11.0; version=unspecified <11.2

Published CVSS scores

5.5NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
4.3NIST NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

T1005Data from Local System

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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