CVE-2020-9975

Kernel code execution via use-after-free

Published Apr 2, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Kernel use-after-free in affected Apple operating systems allows applications to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Apple identifies the locus only as the kernel and discloses no affected function; kernel code accesses an object after its memory has been freed. Execution requires a locally run application, and successful exploitation grants kernel-level code execution across the affected device.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability1.12%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Kernel use-after-free in affected Apple operating systems allows applications to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Apple identifies the locus only as the kernel and discloses no affected function; kernel code accesses an object after its memory has been freed. Execution requires a locally run application, and successful exploitation grants kernel-level code execution across the affected device.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-9975
Published
Apr 2, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Apple
Product
iOS and iPadOS
Classifications
CWE-416, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 2, 2021CVE 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 <14.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · iOS and iPadOSversion=unspecified <14.0
Apple · tvOSversion=unspecified <14.0
Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <11.0; version=unspecified <11.1
Apple · watchOSversion=unspecified <7.0

Published CVSS scores

9.3NIST National Vulnerability DatabaseAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
7.8NIST National Vulnerability DatabaseCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-416Use After Free
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

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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