CVE-2021-30869: Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS Type Confusion Vulnerability

Published Jan 26, 2021
·
Updated

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.

Other sources

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.

— CISA

XNU. A type confusion issue was addressed with improved state handling.

Credit

Erye Hernandez(Google Threat Analysis Group), Clément Lecigne(Google Threat Analysis Group), Ian Beer(Google Project Zero), Apple

Affected Software

36 affected componentsFixes available
Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS
Apple Catalina
Apple macOS Big Sur<11.2
11.2
Apple Mojave
Apple iOS<12.5.5
12.5.5
Apple iOS<14.4
14.4
Apple iPadOS<14.4
14.4
Apple iPadOS<14.4
Apple iPhone OS>=12.0<12.5.5
Apple iPhone OS>=14.0<14.4
Apple iOS and macOS>=10.14<=10.14.6
Apple iOS and macOS>=10.15<=10.15.6
Apple iOS and macOS=10.14.6-security_update_2019-001
Apple iOS and macOS=10.14.6-security_update_2019-002
Apple iOS and macOS=10.14.6-security_update_2019-004
Apple iOS and macOS=10.14.6-security_update_2019-005
Apple iOS and macOS=10.14.6-security_update_2019-006
Apple iOS and macOS=10.14.6-security_update_2019-007
Apple iOS and macOS=10.14.6-security_update_2020-001
Apple iOS and macOS=10.14.6-security_update_2020-002
Apple iOS and macOS=10.14.6-security_update_2020-003
Apple iOS and macOS=10.14.6-security_update_2020-004
Apple iOS and macOS=10.14.6-security_update_2020-005
Apple iOS and macOS=10.14.6-security_update_2020-006
Apple iOS and macOS=10.14.6-security_update_2020-007
Apple iOS and macOS=10.15.7
Apple iOS and macOS=10.15.7-security_update_2020
Apple iOS and macOS=10.15.7-security_update_2020-001
Apple iOS and macOS=10.15.7-security_update_2020-005
Apple iOS and macOS=10.15.7-security_update_2020-007
Apple iOS and macOS=10.15.7-security_update_2021-002
Apple iOS and macOS=10.15.7-security_update_2021-003
Apple iOS and macOS=10.15.7-security_update_2021-004
Apple iOS and macOS=10.15.7-security_update_2021-005
Apple iOS and macOS=10.15.7-supplemental_update
Apple macOS>=11.0<11.2

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade Apple macOS to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 11.2
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade Apple iOS and iPadOS to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 12.5.5
  3. Upgrade

    Upgrade Apple iOS and iPadOS to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 14.4
  4. Upgrade

    Upgrade Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 14.4
  5. Upgrade

    Upgrade macOS Big Sur to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 11.2
  6. Upgrade

    Upgrade macOS Catalina to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Patch Security Update 2021-001 Catalina
  7. Upgrade

    Upgrade macOS Catalina to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Patch Security Update 2021-006 Catalina
  8. Upgrade

    Upgrade macOS Mojave to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Patch Security Update 2021-001 Mojave

Event History

Aug 24, 2021
CVE Published
via MITRE·06:49 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·06:49 PM
DescriptionWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·07:15 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Nov 3, 2021
Known Exploited
via CISA·12:00 AM
Oct 17, 58448
Event
04:31 PM

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

Peer vulnerabilities

Found alongside the following vulnerabilities.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is CVE-2021-30869?

CVE-2021-30869 is a type confusion vulnerability in Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS that may allow a malicious application to execute code with kernel privileges.

2

Which Apple software is affected by CVE-2021-30869?

Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS are affected by CVE-2021-30869.

3

How can a malicious application exploit CVE-2021-30869?

A malicious application can exploit CVE-2021-30869 to execute code with kernel privileges.

4

What is the severity of CVE-2021-30869?

The severity of CVE-2021-30869 is not specified.

5

How can I fix CVE-2021-30869?

To fix CVE-2021-30869, update to the recommended versions of Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.

Company

Resources

Contact

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