CVE-2020-3872

Restricted-memory disclosure via uninitialized kernel memory

Published Feb 27, 2020 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Improper memory initialization in the Apple Kernel on affected iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS releases allows local users to read restricted memory. Apple states that the Kernel failed to initialize memory correctly but has not published the affected function, data structure, or allocation path. Execution of a local application and user interaction are required, and the reported consequence is restricted-memory disclosure without integrity or availability impact.

CVSS severity5.5
Medium
EPSS probability0.80%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper memory initialization in the Apple Kernel on affected iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS releases allows local users to read restricted memory. Apple states that the Kernel failed to initialize memory correctly but has not published the affected function, data structure, or allocation path. Execution of a local application and user interaction are required, and the reported consequence is restricted-memory disclosure without integrity or availability impact.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-3872
Published
Feb 27, 2020
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Apple
Product
iOS
Classifications
CWE-665
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
Apple · watchOSversion=unspecified <watchOS 6.1.2

Published CVSS scores

5.5NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

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-665Improper Initialization

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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