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CVE-2021-30869

Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS Type Confusion

7.8 HIGHActively exploited (CISA KEV)EPSS 4.13%
  1. Published24 Aug 2021
  2. Added to CISA KEV3 Nov 2021
  3. Remediation due17 Nov 2021
Actively exploited (CISA KEV)

Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS contain a type confusion vulnerability in the XNU which may allow a malicious application to execute code with kernel privileges.

Added to KEV: 3 Nov 2021Federal remediation due: 17 Nov 2021

Description

A type confusion issue was addressed with improved state handling. This issue is fixed in iOS 12.5.5, iOS 14.4 and iPadOS 14.4, macOS Big Sur 11.2, Security Update 2021-001 Catalina, Security Update 2021-001 Mojave, Security Update 2021-006 Catalina. A malicious application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Apple is aware of reports that an exploit for this issue exists in the wild.

CVSS 3.1 breakdown

Attack vectorLocal
Attack complexityLow
Privileges requiredNone
User interactionRequired
ScopeUnchanged
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected products

Apple iPadOS< 14.4
Apple iPhone OS≥ 12.0 < 12.5.5 · ≥ 14.0 < 14.4
Apple macOS≥ 11.0 < 11.2
Apple Mac OS X≥ 10.14 ≤ 10.14.6 · ≥ 10.15 ≤ 10.15.6 · 10.14.6 · 10.15.7

Remediation

Fixed in
Apple iPadOS≥ 14.4
Apple iPhone OS≥ 12.5.5
Apple macOS≥ 11.2

References

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Frequently asked

Is CVE-2021-30869 being actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2021-30869 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added 3 Nov 2021.

How severe is CVE-2021-30869?

CVE-2021-30869 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8, rated high. EPSS estimates a 4.13% probability of exploitation.

Which products are affected by CVE-2021-30869?

Affected products include Apple iPadOS, Apple iPhone OS, Apple macOS, Apple Mac OS X.

How do I fix CVE-2021-30869?

Upgrade affected software to a fixed version, for example Apple iPadOS 14.4, Apple iPhone OS 12.5.5, Apple macOS 11.2 or later, then confirm no affected versions remain in your inventory.

How Secuno handles this

Secuno correlates vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-30869 against the real software inventory on every managed device, as each hourly inventory arrives. Rather than a static severity, each match is scored in context: exploit availability, EPSS, the asset's exposure, and business criticality decide where it lands in the queue. Because it is on the CISA KEV list, a risk for it never ranks below high, and the update that fixes it moves to the Emergency patch lane. If an affected version is present anywhere across your portfolio, it surfaces automatically with a prioritised remediation path.

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Data from the NVD, CISA KEV catalog and FIRST EPSS. CVSS 3.1 base score shown where available.