CVE-2020-3830Public exploit

Arbitrary file overwrite via InstallHistory symlink replacement

Published Feb 27, 2020 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Improper link resolution in Apple macOS PackageKit before 10.15.3 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a malicious application. PackageKit writes installation metadata to /Library/Receipts/InstallHistory.plist after following an attacker-created symbolic link, redirecting the privileged write to an unintended path. Exploitation requires a local administrator to replace the history file and trigger an application installation; the written content is limited to installation metadata.

CVSS severity3.3
Low
EPSS probability0.33%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
Coverage for this vulnerability

See if you're affected

Explore vulnerability checks for your environment with Hinoki.

Book a demo

Summary

What happened

Improper link resolution in Apple macOS PackageKit before 10.15.3 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a malicious application. PackageKit writes installation metadata to /Library/Receipts/InstallHistory.plist after following an attacker-created symbolic link, redirecting the privileged write to an unintended path. Exploitation requires a local administrator to replace the history file and trigger an application installation; the written content is limited to installation metadata.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-3830
Published
Feb 27, 2020
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Apple
Product
macOS
Classifications
CWE-59
Attack vector
local
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 27, 2020CVE 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

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

Is a vulnerable build present?

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

  1. Affected versionversion=unspecified <macOS Catalina 10.15.3

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <macOS Catalina 10.15.3

Published CVSS scores

3.6NIST NVDAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:P
3.3NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/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
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-59Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')

Public exploit references

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

Technologies

Your stack

See the directory against your own environment.

Your stack

Check the software in your environment

Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.

Book a demo