CVE-2020-13524: An out-of-bounds memory corruption vulnerability exists in the way Pixar OpenUSD 20.05 uses SPECS data from bi

Q: How do I fix CVE-2020-13524?

openusd: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; mac os x: upgrade to 10.14.6, 10.15.7; macos: upgrade to 11.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2020-13524 being exploited?

CVE-2020-13524 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2020-13524 affect?

CVE-2020-13524 affects openusd, mac os x, macos. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). An out-of-bounds memory corruption vulnerability exists in the way Pixar OpenUSD 20.05 uses SPECS data from binary USD files. A specially crafted malformed file can trigger an out-of-bounds memory access and modification which results in me

Q: How urgent is CVE-2020-13524?

Priority 39/100. Public exploit reference

Routine

MEDIUM 5.5DOWNGRADEUPGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2020-13524 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.5) affecting openusd, mac os x, macos. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

An out-of-bounds memory corruption vulnerability exists in the way Pixar OpenUSD 20.05 uses SPECS data from binary USD files. A specially crafted malformed file can trigger an out-of-bounds memory access and modification which results in memory corruption. To trigger this vulnerability, the victim needs to access an attacker-provided malformed file.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.8% (top 43%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-119, CWE-787
Published	2020-12-03
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Talos · Vendor: apple · pixar

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2020-12-03 18:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:53 UTCUpdated Record last modified

pixar openusd DOWNGRADE

Affected: 20.05

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 20.05

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy openusd || rpm -q openusd || openusd --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 20.05 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison openusd sudo apt install openusd=<VERSION_BEFORE_20.05> sudo apt-mark hold openusd

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list openusd sudo dnf downgrade openusd-<VERSION_BEFORE_20.05> sudo dnf versionlock add openusd

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

apple mac os x UPGRADE

Affected: >= 10.14.0 and < 10.14.6 · >= 10.15 and < 10.15.7 · 10.14.6 security_update_2019-001 · 10.14.6 security_update_2019-002 · 10.14.6 security_update_2019-004 · 10.14.6 security_update_2019-005 · 10.14.6 security_update_2019-006 · 10.14.6 security_update_2019-007

Fixed in: 10.14.6, 10.15.7

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 10.14.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

apple macos UPGRADE

Affected: >= 11.0 and < 11.1

Fixed in: 11.1

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 11.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2020-13524?

openusd: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; mac os x: upgrade to 10.14.6, 10.15.7; macos: upgrade to 11.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-13524 being exploited?

CVE-2020-13524 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2020-13524 affect?

CVE-2020-13524 affects openusd, mac os x, macos. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). An out-of-bounds memory corruption vulnerability exists in the way Pixar OpenUSD 20.05 uses SPECS data from binary USD files. A specially crafted malformed file can trigger an out-of-bounds memory access and modification which results in me

How urgent is CVE-2020-13524?

Priority 39/100. Public exploit reference

Software pages

macOS vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2020-6156 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE A heap overflow vulnerability exists in Pixar OpenUSD 20.05 when the software parses compressed sections in bi
CVE-2020-6155 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE A heap overflow vulnerability exists in the Pixar OpenUSD 20.05 while parsing compressed value rep arrays in b
CVE-2020-6150 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE A heap overflow vulnerability exists in Pixar OpenUSD 20.05 when the software USDC file format SPECS section d
CVE-2020-6149 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE A heap overflow vulnerability exists in Pixar OpenUSD 20.05 when the software parses compressed sections in bi
CVE-2020-6148 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE A heap overflow vulnerability exists in Pixar OpenUSD 20.05 when the software parses compressed sections in bi

References

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