CVE-2020-36521

Memory disclosure or service interruption via TIFF parsing

Published Sep 23, 2022 · Updated May 22, 2025

Out-of-bounds read in Apple ImageIO before the listed 2020 updates allows attackers to disclose memory or interrupt service via TIFF files. ImageIO insufficiently validates a crafted TIFF structure before reading beyond the intended buffer; Apple has not disclosed the affected function. Exploitation requires local processing and user interaction on affected iTunes for Windows, iCloud for Windows, iOS, iPadOS, or watchOS installations.

CVSS severity7.1
High
EPSS probability0.43%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Out-of-bounds read in Apple ImageIO before the listed 2020 updates allows attackers to disclose memory or interrupt service via TIFF files. ImageIO insufficiently validates a crafted TIFF structure before reading beyond the intended buffer; Apple has not disclosed the affected function. Exploitation requires local processing and user interaction on affected iTunes for Windows, iCloud for Windows, iOS, iPadOS, or watchOS installations.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-36521
Published
Sep 23, 2022
Updated
May 22, 2025
Vendor
Apple
Product
iTunes for Windows
Classifications
CWE-125, T1204.002, T1566.001
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 23, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. May 22, 2025Record 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 <12.10

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · iTunes for Windowsversion=unspecified <12.10
Apple · iOS and iPadOSversion=unspecified <14.0
Apple · iCloud for Windowsversion=unspecified <11.4; version=unspecified <7.21
Apple · watchOSversion=unspecified <14.0; version=unspecified <7.0

Published CVSS scores

7.1CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H
7.1NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H

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 exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-125Out-of-bounds Read
T1204.002Malicious File
T1566.001Spearphishing Attachment

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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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