CVE-2020-3846Network attack vector

Code execution via libxml2 size validation failure

Published Feb 27, 2020 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Buffer overflow in Apple libxml2 across affected platforms allows attackers to crash applications or execute code via crafted XML. The parser inadequately validates an XML-derived buffer size before memory use; Apple has not identified the affected function or data structure. Exploitation requires an affected application to process attacker-controlled XML, with impact bounded to an application crash or code execution in that application's context.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability1.78%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Buffer overflow in Apple libxml2 across affected platforms allows attackers to crash applications or execute code via crafted XML. The parser inadequately validates an XML-derived buffer size before memory use; Apple has not identified the affected function or data structure. Exploitation requires an affected application to process attacker-controlled XML, with impact bounded to an application crash or code execution in that application's context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-3846
Published
Feb 27, 2020
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Apple
Product
iOS
Classifications
CWE-119, CWE-20, T1203
Attack vector
network
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 vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · iOSversion=unspecified <iOS 13.3.1 and iPadOS 13.3.1
Apple · iTunes for Windowsversion=unspecified <iTunes for Windows 12.10.4
Apple · iCloud for Windows (Legacy)version=unspecified <iCloud for Windows 7.17
Apple · iCloud for Windowsversion=unspecified <iCloud for Windows 11.0
Apple · tvOSversion=unspecified <tvOS 13.3.1
Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <macOS Catalina 10.15.3
Apple · watchOSversion=unspecified <watchOS 6.1.2

Published CVSS scores

8.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/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)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-119Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer
CWE-20Improper Input Validation
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution

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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