Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This macOS flaw can crash an application or expose process memory when a malicious AppleScript binary is processed. Apple fixed it with improved bounds checking in specific macOS updates. Business urgency depends on whether Macs remain below those fixed versions and whether users can open untrusted AppleScript content.
Executive priority
Treat this as a hygiene-driven macOS patching item, not an emergency based on supplied evidence. Prioritize remediation for exposed user endpoints, especially where users can receive or open untrusted files.
Technical view
CVE-2021-30880 is an out-of-bounds read in macOS AppleScript binary processing. Apple states crafted input may cause unexpected application termination or process memory disclosure. The fix is included in macOS Monterey 12.0.1, macOS Big Sur 11.6.1, and Security Update 2021-007 Catalina.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to Apple macOS systems that have not received the named Apple fixes or later supported updates. The source bundle lists macOS broadly, with unspecified affected versions, so version inventory is necessary to scope risk accurately.
Exploitation context
The provided sources do not report active exploitation, and the CVE is not listed as KEV. Known exploitation context is limited to processing a maliciously crafted AppleScript binary. No public exploit details are included in the supplied source bundle.
Researcher notes
The public record lacks CVSS, CWE, affected-version detail, and exploit evidence. Analysis should stay anchored to Apple's stated impact and fixed releases. Validate exposure through update state, not product assumptions beyond macOS.
Mitigation direction
- Update macOS to Monterey 12.0.1, Big Sur 11.6.1, or the Catalina 2021-007 security update.
- Prefer later supported macOS releases where operationally possible.
- Block or restrict untrusted AppleScript binaries in enterprise controls.
- Check Apple guidance before applying exceptions or compensating controls.
Validation and detection
- Inventory macOS versions across managed and unmanaged endpoints.
- Confirm each in-scope Mac has the relevant Apple security update or later release installed.
- Review endpoint controls for handling untrusted AppleScript files.
- Monitor crash, malware, and file-open telemetry for suspicious AppleScript-related activity.
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.
CVE-2021-30880 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
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
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.
CVSS and timeline data
No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212869CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212871CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212872CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
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.