Apple macOS: An application may be able to gain elevated privileges
Priority LOW 27Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- Low · Low · Low
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA.
Summary
This issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in macOS Catalina 10.15.5. An application may be able to gain elevated privileges.
Why it matters now
EPSS 0.0139 72nd percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Fixed macOS (Apple): macOS Catalina 10.15.5
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | macOS | before macOS Catalina 10.15.5 | macOS Catalina 10.15.5 | Patch available | CNA |
- macOS VendorApple Affected before macOS Catalina 10.15.5 Fixed in macOS Catalina 10.15.5 Patch available CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 25
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.13 to before 10.13.6; 10.14 to before 10.14.6; 10.15 to before 10.15.5 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.13.6 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:-:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.13.6 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:security_update_2018-002:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.13.6 security_update_2018-002 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:security_update_2018-003:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.13.6 security_update_2018-003 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:security_update_2019-001:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.13.6 security_update_2019-001 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:security_update_2019-002:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.13.6 security_update_2019-002 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:security_update_2019-003:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.13.6 security_update_2019-003 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:security_update_2019-004:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.13.6 security_update_2019-004 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:security_update_2019-005:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.13.6 security_update_2019-005 | Vulnerable | Apple |
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.13 to before 10.13.6; 10.14 to before 10.14.6; 10.15 to before 10.15.5 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.13.6 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:-:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.13.6 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:security_update_2018-002:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.13.6 security_update_2018-002 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:security_update_2018-003:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.13.6 security_update_2018-003 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:security_update_2019-001:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.13.6 security_update_2019-001 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:security_update_2019-002:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.13.6 security_update_2019-002 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:security_update_2019-003:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.13.6 security_update_2019-003 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:security_update_2019-004:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.13.6 security_update_2019-004 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:security_update_2019-005:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.13.6 security_update_2019-005 Vulnerable ·Apple
Show 15 more CPE
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:security_update_2019-006:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.13.6 security_update_2019-006 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:security_update_2019-007:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.13.6 security_update_2019-007 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:security_update_2020-001:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.13.6 security_update_2020-001 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:security_update_2020-002:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.13.6 security_update_2020-002 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.14.6 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:-:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.14.6 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2019-001:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.14.6 security_update_2019-001 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2019-002:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.14.6 security_update_2019-002 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2019-004:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.14.6 security_update_2019-004 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2019-005:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.14.6 security_update_2019-005 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2019-006:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.14.6 security_update_2019-006 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2019-007:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.14.6 security_update_2019-007 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2020-001:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.14.6 security_update_2020-001 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2020-002:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.14.6 security_update_2020-002 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2020-003:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.14.6 security_update_2020-003 | Vulnerable | Apple |
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:security_update_2019-006:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.13.6 security_update_2019-006 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:security_update_2019-007:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.13.6 security_update_2019-007 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:security_update_2020-001:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.13.6 security_update_2020-001 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:security_update_2020-002:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.13.6 security_update_2020-002 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.14.6 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:-:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.14.6 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2019-001:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.14.6 security_update_2019-001 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2019-002:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.14.6 security_update_2019-002 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2019-004:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.14.6 security_update_2019-004 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2019-005:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.14.6 security_update_2019-005 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2019-006:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.14.6 security_update_2019-006 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2019-007:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.14.6 security_update_2019-007 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2020-001:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.14.6 security_update_2020-001 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2020-002:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.14.6 security_update_2020-002 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2020-003:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.14.6 security_update_2020-003 Vulnerable ·Apple
Remediation
- Fix · CNA macOS (Apple) Fixed in macOS Catalina 10.15.5
Fixed in the same release
Records fixed by the same vendor advisory or release, as the CNA lists them.
- Release ·
Apple macOS macOS Catalina 10.15.5
41 records Highest priority Priority MEDIUM 2 MEDIUM, 39 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2020-07869 Out-of-bounds write in Apple iOSPriority MEDIUM 43
- TI-2020-07868 Out-of-bounds write in Apple iOSPriority MEDIUM 43
- TI-2020-07873 Out-of-bounds read in Apple iOSPriority LOW 39
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2020-9856
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-g92g-c8h9-p2rw
References
Advisory 1
More Apple Mac Os X vulnerabilities
- TI-2021-01573 Apple iOS and iPadOS: A remote attacker may be able to cause arbitrary code execution KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2021-01572 Apple iOS and iPadOS: A remote attacker may be able to cause arbitrary code execution KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2014-05975 GNU Bash through 4.3 bash43-025 processes trailing strings after certain malformed… KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2014-05157 GNU Bash through 4.3 processes trailing strings after function definitions in the values… KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2012-01607 sapi/cgi/cgi_main.c in PHP before 5.3.12 and 5.4.x before 5.4.2, when configured as a CGI… KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2022-02117 Out-of-bounds write in Google Chrome KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
Sources
- CVE-2020-9856 · CVE Program
- CVE-2020-9856 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-g92g-c8h9-p2rw · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences