CVE-2020-9858

Arbitrary code execution via unsafe DLL search

Published Jun 9, 2020 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Uncontrolled DLL loading in Apple Windows Migration Assistant before 2.2.0.0 allows local users to execute arbitrary code. The Windows installer searches an attacker-controlled working directory for a dynamic library before trusted locations and loads the planted library. Exploitation requires a user to run the installer from an untrusted directory containing the attacker's library; the loaded code runs with the installer's privileges.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.49%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Uncontrolled DLL loading in Apple Windows Migration Assistant before 2.2.0.0 allows local users to execute arbitrary code. The Windows installer searches an attacker-controlled working directory for a dynamic library before trusted locations and loads the planted library. Exploitation requires a user to run the installer from an untrusted directory containing the attacker's library; the loaded code runs with the installer's privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-9858
Published
Jun 9, 2020
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Apple
Product
Windows Migration Assistant
Classifications
CWE-427, CAPEC-471, CAPEC-38, T1574.001
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 9, 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 <Windows Migration Assistant 2.2.0.0 (v. 1A11)

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · Windows Migration Assistantversion=unspecified <Windows Migration Assistant 2.2.0.0 (v. 1A11)

Published CVSS scores

7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
4.4NIST NVDAV:L/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-427Uncontrolled Search Path Element
CAPEC-471Search Order Hijacking
CAPEC-38Leveraging/Manipulating Configuration File Search Paths
T1574.001Hijack Execution Flow: DLL

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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