Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-30911 is an Apple vulnerability where opening a malicious USD file could expose memory contents. The issue was fixed in listed Apple updates for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. Available sources do not report active exploitation or provide severity scoring.
Executive priority
Treat as routine endpoint patching with higher attention for teams handling 3D, design, or external file submissions. There is no cited active exploitation, but memory disclosure bugs can support broader attack chains.
Technical view
Apple describes this as an out-of-bounds read corrected with improved bounds checking. The trigger is processing a maliciously crafted USD file, with possible memory disclosure. The affected component is not named in the provided sources, and no CVSS or CWE data is supplied.
Likely exposure
Organizations may be exposed where Apple devices run versions before iOS 15.1, iPadOS 15.1, macOS Big Sur 11.6.1, macOS Monterey 12.0.1, or Catalina Security Update 2021-007.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show KEV listing or cited active exploitation. Exploitation would require processing a malicious USD file, based on Apple’s description. Evidence is insufficient to assess real-world prevalence.
Researcher notes
The public data is sparse: no CVSS, CWE, component name, or detailed advisory text beyond out-of-bounds read and malicious USD processing. Avoid assuming code execution, sandbox escape, or exploitation in the wild without additional vendor evidence.
Mitigation direction
- Update iPhones and iPads to iOS 15.1 or iPadOS 15.1 or later.
- Update macOS Big Sur systems to 11.6.1 or later.
- Update Monterey systems to 12.0.1 or later.
- Apply Security Update 2021-007 on supported Catalina systems.
- Check Apple guidance for unsupported systems or deployment constraints.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Apple endpoints and record OS versions across managed devices.
- Confirm fixed versions are installed through MDM, EDR, or asset inventory.
- Identify users or workflows that handle USD files from external sources.
- Review support exceptions for Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey, iOS, and iPadOS devices.
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
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CVE-2021-30911 mapping review
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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
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212867CVE 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.