Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-30899 is an Apple macOS kernel-privilege issue. Apple says a malicious application may execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. In business terms, a compromised or intentionally harmful app could potentially gain very deep control over a Mac if the system is not updated.
Executive priority
Treat this as a high-priority Mac endpoint patching issue, especially for privileged users and sensitive environments. The bundle does not support claims of active exploitation, but kernel privilege execution from a malicious app is a serious impact.
Technical view
Apple describes this as a race condition fixed through improved state handling. The public bundle does not identify the affected kernel component, CVSS score, CWE, or exact vulnerable build range. Fixed releases are macOS Monterey 12.0.1, Security Update 2021-007 Catalina, and macOS Big Sur 11.6.1.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on Macs running affected macOS versions before the listed Apple fixes. The bundle lists macOS broadly with unspecified vulnerable versions, so fleet validation must focus on installed macOS release and security update level.
Exploitation context
The provided sources do not show KEV listing or active exploitation. The known attack context is local application-based: Apple states a malicious application may execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.
Researcher notes
Public evidence is sparse. Apple provides impact and fixed release information but not the vulnerable component, exact affected versions, CVSS, CWE, or exploitation details. Avoid assuming exploit availability or affected non-macOS products from this bundle.
Mitigation direction
- Update Monterey systems to macOS Monterey 12.0.1 or later.
- Apply Security Update 2021-007 on supported Catalina systems.
- Update Big Sur systems to macOS Big Sur 11.6.1 or later.
- Prioritize Macs used by administrators, developers, and sensitive-data users.
- Follow Apple guidance for unsupported or upgrade-constrained Macs.
Validation and detection
- Inventory macOS versions across managed and unmanaged Mac endpoints.
- Confirm Monterey endpoints are at 12.0.1 or later.
- Confirm Big Sur endpoints are at 11.6.1 or later.
- Confirm Catalina endpoints have Security Update 2021-007 installed.
- Track exceptions where Apple’s fixed releases cannot be applied.
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.
Execution 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-2021-30899 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.