CVE-2021-30939 is a high-severity vulnerability that impacts various Apple products, including macOS, iOS, and watchOS. This vulnerability allows an out-of-bounds read, which could be exploited through processing a maliciously crafted image, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS score of 7.8, indicating a significant risk that organizations must address promptly.
The vulnerability was published on August 24, 2021, and affects systems prior to the vendor-specified patches. Organizations using macOS Big Sur, macOS Monterey, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and watchOS are particularly vulnerable. Given the nature of this vulnerability and its potential for exploitation, organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
Currently, there are no known public exploits, but the nature of the vulnerability indicates the potential for exploitation in targeted attacks. Organizations must remain vigilant and monitor for any signs of exploitation.
In light of this vulnerability, immediate action is necessary to protect systems and data. Security teams should ensure that all affected Apple products are updated to the latest versions to mitigate risks effectively.
Vulnerability Details
This vulnerability allows an out-of-bounds read, which has been addressed with improved bounds checking. It is fixed in macOS Big Sur 11.6.2, tvOS 15.2, macOS Monterey 12.1, Security Update 2021-008 Catalina, iOS 15.2, and iPadOS 15.2, as well as watchOS 8.3. Processing a maliciously crafted image may lead to arbitrary code execution.
The CVSS 3.1 score for this vulnerability is 7.8, classified as high severity, indicating a serious impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The attack vector is local, and it requires low complexity, no privileges, and user interaction.
The vulnerability is assigned to CWE-125, which is indicative of out-of-bounds read issues. Affected products include ipados, iphone_os, mac_os_x, macos, tvos, and watchos.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2021-30939 is an out-of-bounds read due to inadequate bounds checking when processing images. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability by creating malicious images that exploit the vulnerability when opened by a user with sufficient privileges.
The attack vector is local, meaning that the attacker requires local access to the vulnerable system. The complexity is rated as low, as it does not require advanced skills to exploit. User interaction is required, as the user must open the malicious image.
The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability, all rated high, indicating significant risk to the affected systems.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access to sensitive data and the ability to execute arbitrary code, which can lead to full system compromise. The vulnerability's high CVSS score indicates a serious risk that should not be underestimated.
The blast radius for this vulnerability could be significant, especially in environments where multiple Apple products are in use. Organizations must assess their exposure and prioritize remediation efforts based on the severity of the impact.
Given the low EPSS score of 0.004, the immediate urgency for patching is high, as this vulnerability could be exploited in targeted attacks. Organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The following versions of Apple products are affected by CVE-2021-30939:
All versions prior to their respective patches: macOS Big Sur, macOS Monterey, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and watchOS.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize upgrading to the latest versions of the affected Apple products to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability. The specific versions to upgrade to are macOS Big Sur 11.6.2, macOS Monterey 12.1, iOS 15.2, iPadOS 15.2, tvOS 15.2, and watchOS 8.3.
If immediate upgrades are not feasible, organizations should implement strict network controls to limit access to vulnerable systems and monitor for any signs of exploitation.
Additionally, organizations may consider engaging in penetration testing to identify and address similar vulnerabilities in their environment.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability, including unusual file access patterns or unexpected image processing requests.
Behavioral anomalies should be investigated promptly to mitigate any potential exploitation attempts.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2021-30939 highlights the ongoing risk associated with local vulnerabilities in widely used operating systems. As attackers continue to evolve their methods, organizations must remain vigilant and proactive in their security measures.
Implementing robust security practices, including regular updates and monitoring, is essential for reducing the attack surface. Organizations should also evaluate their security posture against similar vulnerabilities through comprehensive assessments.
For additional insights, consider exploring our guide on mobile app penetration testing to better understand potential vulnerabilities in mobile environments.
Additionally, reviewing our penetration testing methodology can provide organizations with effective strategies to identify and remediate vulnerabilities.
Lastly, developing a robust vulnerability management program will further enhance an organization's ability to protect against emerging threats.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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