Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-30922 is an Apple macOS kernel issue where a malicious app could gain kernel privileges. That could turn an app-level compromise into deep system control. Apple says multiple out-of-bounds write issues were fixed with improved bounds checking in macOS Big Sur 11.6.1.
Executive priority
Treat this as high priority for macOS fleet hygiene because the impact is kernel-level code execution. No active exploitation is evidenced in the supplied sources, but unpatched endpoints increase risk if users run malicious apps.
Technical view
Apple describes multiple out-of-bounds write flaws addressed through improved bounds checking. The documented impact is arbitrary code execution with kernel privileges by a malicious application. The bundle identifies macOS as affected but does not provide CVSS, CWE, exact component details, or complete affected version ranges.
Likely exposure
Organizations with macOS endpoints running versions older than the relevant Apple security updates may be exposed. The bundle specifically names macOS Big Sur 11.6.1 as fixing the issue but does not define all vulnerable versions.
Exploitation context
The provided bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or cited evidence of active exploitation. The attack scenario requires a malicious application, so exposure depends on endpoint compromise, software installation controls, and patch status.
Researcher notes
Evidence is limited to Apple and CVE records. The bundle lacks component name, CVSS, CWE, proof-of-concept status, exploit maturity, and full affected-version mapping. Validate scope against Apple advisory pages before making vulnerability management decisions.
Mitigation direction
- Update macOS systems according to Apple security guidance.
- Prioritize macOS Big Sur systems below 11.6.1 for review.
- Restrict untrusted application installation on managed endpoints.
- Use endpoint controls to detect suspicious privileged process behavior.
- Check Apple advisories for any additional affected releases.
Validation and detection
- Inventory macOS versions across managed endpoints.
- Confirm Big Sur systems are on 11.6.1 or later.
- Review Apple advisory coverage for Monterey and Catalina updates.
- Check EDR telemetry for suspicious app-to-kernel escalation indicators.
- Verify software installation controls are enforced for users.
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-2021-30922 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/kb/HT212871CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT212869CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- 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.
