CVE-2021-1867 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Apple products, specifically iOS 14.5, iPadOS 14.5, and macOS Big Sur 11.3. This vulnerability allows an out-of-bounds read, which can be exploited by a malicious application to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 8.8, indicating a significant risk to affected systems.
Organizations using the affected versions of Apple’s operating systems should be aware of the potential for exploitation. The attack vector is network-based, and the vulnerability has a low attack complexity with no privileges required. However, user interaction is necessary, which increases the risk of exploitation in scenarios where users may inadvertently install malicious applications.
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to sensitive data, loss of integrity, and significant impacts on system availability. Therefore, organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate this vulnerability and avoid potential exploitation.
The vulnerability was published on September 8, 2021, and has since been addressed in the respective updates. Organizations that have not yet applied these patches are at a heightened risk of attack and should take immediate action.
Vulnerability Details
The official description of CVE-2021-1867 states: 'An out-of-bounds read was addressed with improved input validation. This issue is fixed in iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5, macOS Big Sur 11.3. A malicious application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.' This vulnerability is classified under CWE-125, indicating a weakness related to out-of-bounds read.
The CVSS score of 8.8 reflects its high severity, with a base severity rating of 'HIGH.' The attack vector is network-based, requiring low complexity to exploit, and no privileges are required from the attacker, although user interaction is necessary.
The vulnerability affects multiple products by Apple, including iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, specifically versions prior to their respective patches. It is crucial for organizations to verify their systems and apply the necessary updates to mitigate this risk.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2021-1867 is an out-of-bounds read, which occurs when an application reads data outside the bounds of allocated memory. This can lead to unintended behavior, including the execution of arbitrary code. The attack vector is network-based, meaning that the exploitation can happen remotely.
The complexity of the attack is rated as low, as it does not require any special conditions to exploit other than user interaction through the installation of a malicious application. The attacker does not need any privileges to exploit this vulnerability, which increases the risk for users.
The impacts of this vulnerability are severe, as it affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability, all rated as high. Successful exploitation could result in complete control over the affected system, leading to unauthorized access and potential data breaches.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world risk associated with CVE-2021-1867 is substantial. Given the nature of the vulnerability, attackers may leverage it to gain control over devices running vulnerable versions of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information, including personal data and credentials.
Organizations should consider the potential blast radius of this vulnerability. With many users relying on Apple devices for personal and professional tasks, the exposure could be significant, impacting not only individual users but also organizations that manage these devices.
Urgency assessment based on the CVSS score indicates that organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle. The low attack complexity combined with the need for user interaction makes it a critical target for attackers seeking to exploit unpatched devices.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
CVE-2021-1867 affects the following versions of Apple products: iOS 14.5 and earlier, iPadOS 14.5 and earlier, and macOS Big Sur 11.3 and earlier. Organizations should apply the latest patches to ensure that their systems are secure against this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate CVE-2021-1867, organizations should immediately upgrade to iOS 14.5, iPadOS 14.5, and macOS Big Sur 11.3 or later. This patch addresses the out-of-bounds read vulnerability through improved input validation.
If upgrading is not feasible, organizations should implement strict network controls to limit the exposure of devices to potential exploitation. Regular monitoring and user training on identifying malicious applications can also reduce the risk.
For further guidance on testing and validating the effectiveness of patches, consider engaging in penetration testing to identify any residual vulnerabilities.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of CVE-2021-1867, organizations should monitor logs for unusual application behavior, especially from newly installed applications. Behavioral anomalies such as unexpected crashes or unauthorized access attempts may indicate an active exploit.
Network signatures that flag known malicious applications can also be effective in identifying threats. Additionally, system changes, especially those related to permissions, should be closely monitored.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2021-1867 lies in its demonstration of the critical need for stringent input validation in application development. This vulnerability highlights the potential consequences of inadequate security practices and the importance of maintaining a proactive security posture.
Security teams should learn from this incident by implementing more rigorous testing and validation processes, especially for applications that handle sensitive data. Continuous monitoring and regular updates are essential to defend against similar vulnerabilities in the future.
For more information on application security best practices, organizations can refer to the following resources: Application Security Assessment, Penetration Testing Methodology, and Vulnerability Management Program Design to enhance their overall security posture.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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