Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
Apple fixed a memory-safety flaw that could let an application gain kernel-level control on affected Apple operating systems. Kernel privileges can bypass normal device protections. The public sources list fixed releases but do not provide CVSS, exact vulnerable version ranges, or evidence of active exploitation.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation across managed Apple fleets because kernel privilege execution can materially increase compromise impact. This is a high-priority patching issue, but the provided evidence does not support claiming active exploitation.
Technical view
CVE-2021-30927 is a use-after-free issue addressed through improved memory management. Apple states an application may execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Fixed releases include macOS Big Sur 11.6.2, macOS Monterey 12.1, Security Update 2021-008 Catalina, iOS/iPadOS 15.2, tvOS 15.2, and watchOS 8.3.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to Apple devices running affected pre-fix macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, or watchOS versions. The sources do not define exact vulnerable version ranges, so validation should rely on installed OS version checks against Apple’s fixed releases.
Exploitation context
The bundle does not cite known exploitation, and the CVE is not marked KEV. The described impact requires an application to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, suggesting risk from malicious or compromised local applications rather than a documented remote exploit path.
Researcher notes
Public detail is sparse: no CVSS, CWE, exact component, vulnerable range, or exploit telemetry is provided in the bundle. Treat the finding as a patched Apple kernel-privilege memory-safety issue and avoid assumptions beyond Apple’s advisory language.
Mitigation direction
- Update macOS Big Sur systems to 11.6.2 or later.
- Update macOS Monterey systems to 12.1 or later.
- Apply Security Update 2021-008 on supported Catalina systems.
- Update iOS and iPadOS devices to 15.2 or later.
- Update watchOS to 8.3 and tvOS to 15.2 or later.
- Check Apple guidance for unsupported or exception devices.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Apple device OS versions through MDM or endpoint management.
- Compare installed versions with Apple’s listed fixed releases.
- Confirm Catalina systems received Security Update 2021-008.
- Identify devices unable to update and document compensating controls.
- Review application allow-listing and untrusted app installation exposure.
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-2021-30927 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/HT212975CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212976CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212978CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212979CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212981CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212980CVE 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.