CVE-2020-9885 : What You Need to Know

A vulnerability in the handling of iMessage tapbacks in Apple products allowed a user removed from an iMessage group to rejoin. The issue was fixed in iOS 13.6 and iPadOS 13.6, macOS Catalina 10.15.6, tvOS 13.4.8, and watchOS 6.2.8.

Understanding CVE-2020-9885

This CVE relates to a security flaw in Apple's products that could potentially allow unauthorized rejoining of iMessage groups.

What is CVE-2020-9885?

The vulnerability in iMessage tapbacks handling could permit a user who was previously removed from an iMessage group to rejoin without proper authorization.

The Impact of CVE-2020-9885

The security issue could lead to unauthorized access to iMessage groups, potentially compromising the privacy and security of group conversations.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-9885

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw allowed a user removed from an iMessage group to rejoin, posing a security risk to group communication.

Affected Systems and Versions

The following Apple products and versions were impacted:

iOS versions earlier than 13.6 and iPadOS versions earlier than 13.6
macOS Catalina versions earlier than 10.15.6
tvOS versions earlier than 13.4.8
watchOS versions earlier than 6.2.8

Exploitation Mechanism

Unauthorized users could exploit the vulnerability to rejoin iMessage groups from which they were previously removed.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-9885, follow these mitigation steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update affected devices to the fixed versions: iOS 13.6 and iPadOS 13.6, macOS Catalina 10.15.6, tvOS 13.4.8, and watchOS 6.2.8
Regularly monitor and manage iMessage group memberships to prevent unauthorized access

Long-Term Security Practices

Educate users on the importance of secure group communication practices
Implement multi-factor authentication for enhanced security

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches promptly to ensure protection against known vulnerabilities