Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-30869 is an Apple kernel-level vulnerability that can let a malicious app run code with kernel privileges. Apple fixed it in listed iOS, iPadOS, and macOS updates and reported in-the-wild exploitation. Treat affected Apple endpoints as a high-priority exposure issue.
Executive priority
High priority. This is an actively exploited Apple kernel vulnerability with potential full device compromise. Patch managed Apple endpoints promptly, especially mobile devices and Macs with broad application access.
Technical view
The flaw is a CWE-843 type confusion issue addressed by Apple with improved state handling. CVSS 3.1 is 7.8, local attack vector, low complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on iPhones, iPads, and Macs running versions older than Apple’s listed fixed releases. The source bundle does not provide exact vulnerable version ranges beyond products and fixed update levels.
Exploitation context
Apple states it was aware of reports that an exploit existed in the wild, and the CVE is listed in CISA KEV. Sources describe malicious application execution with kernel privileges, but do not provide public exploitation details.
Researcher notes
Evidence supports a local, user-interaction attack path through a malicious application. Affected version detail is incomplete in the source bundle, so validation should anchor on Apple’s fixed releases and CISA KEV status rather than inferred ranges.
Mitigation direction
- Update iOS to 12.5.5 or 14.4 or later, as applicable.
- Update iPadOS to 14.4 or later.
- Update macOS Big Sur to 11.2 or later.
- Apply Apple Security Updates for Catalina and Mojave listed by Apple.
- Check Apple and CISA guidance for any newer platform-specific remediation.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Apple devices and record OS versions or build levels.
- Compare devices against Apple’s fixed iOS, iPadOS, and macOS releases.
- Prioritize devices that can install or run unmanaged applications.
- Confirm vulnerability scanners flag CISA KEV status for this CVE.
- Verify patch deployment through MDM or endpoint management reporting.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-843: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2021-30869 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- Yes
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CISA KEV status
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212147CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212146CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212824CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212825CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-30869CVE reference · government-resource
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Access of Resource Using Incompatible Type ('Type Confusion')
Access of Resource Using Incompatible Type ('Type Confusion') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.