Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This Apple macOS issue lets a malicious application disclose kernel memory. In business terms, a user running a hostile app could expose sensitive low-level system data. Apple says the issue was fixed in macOS Monterey 12.0.1, Big Sur 11.6.2, and Security Update 2021-008 Catalina.
Executive priority
Treat this as a routine but important macOS endpoint patching item. It does not have confirmed active exploitation in the provided sources, but kernel memory disclosure can weaken system confidentiality and should not remain open on managed fleets.
Technical view
CVE-2021-30931 is described as a macOS logic issue corrected with improved validation. The documented impact is kernel memory disclosure by a malicious application. The public record does not provide CVSS, CWE, affected version ranges, exploit details, or a named vulnerable component.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on macOS systems older than Monterey 12.0.1, Big Sur 11.6.2, or Catalina without Security Update 2021-008. The source bundle does not specify exact vulnerable build ranges beyond Apple’s fixed releases.
Exploitation context
The provided sources do not show active exploitation, and the CVE is not listed as KEV. The stated prerequisite is a malicious application, so the practical risk depends on whether users can install or run untrusted software.
Researcher notes
Public evidence is sparse. Apple identifies the bug class as a logic issue with improved validation and gives only the high-level impact. No component, root cause, exploit primitive, affected build matrix, or proof-of-concept information is included in the supplied sources.
Mitigation direction
- Update Monterey systems to 12.0.1 or later.
- Update Big Sur systems to 11.6.2 or later.
- Apply Security Update 2021-008 on Catalina systems.
- Check Apple guidance for unsupported or unmanaged macOS versions.
- Limit execution of untrusted applications where feasible.
Validation and detection
- Inventory macOS versions across managed endpoints.
- Confirm Monterey endpoints are at least 12.0.1.
- Confirm Big Sur endpoints are at least 11.6.2.
- Confirm Catalina endpoints include Security Update 2021-008.
- Review EDR or MDM records for untrusted application execution.
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-2021-30931 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/HT212979CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212981CVE 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.