CVE-2020-3840

Arbitrary code execution via racoon parser off-by-one

Published Feb 27, 2020 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Off-by-one error in Apple IPSec on iOS, macOS, and tvOS allows local users to execute arbitrary code through a crafted racoon configuration file. The racoon configuration parser performs an incorrect boundary check while handling file content; Apple has not identified the affected function or field. Exploitation requires user interaction to load the crafted local file, after which the parser can corrupt memory and execute attacker-controlled code.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability1.14%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Off-by-one error in Apple IPSec on iOS, macOS, and tvOS allows local users to execute arbitrary code through a crafted racoon configuration file. The racoon configuration parser performs an incorrect boundary check while handling file content; Apple has not identified the affected function or field. Exploitation requires user interaction to load the crafted local file, after which the parser can corrupt memory and execute attacker-controlled code.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-3840
Published
Feb 27, 2020
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Apple
Product
iOS
Classifications
CWE-119, CWE-193, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

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

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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 <iOS 13.3.1 and iPadOS 13.3.1

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · iOSversion=unspecified <iOS 13.3.1 and iPadOS 13.3.1
Apple · tvOSversion=unspecified <tvOS 13.3.1
Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <macOS Catalina 10.15.3

Published CVSS scores

7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.8NIST NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P

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-119Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer
CWE-193Off-by-one Error
T1204.002User Execution: Malicious File

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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