Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-30955 is an Apple race-condition flaw that could let a malicious application run code with kernel privileges. That is a high-impact outcome because kernel access can undermine device security controls. Apple says the issue was fixed through improved state handling in late-2021 platform updates.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation for fleets with outdated Apple endpoints, especially where users can install applications. The business risk is local malicious-app code execution with kernel privileges, but the provided sources do not show known active exploitation.
Technical view
The public record describes a race condition addressed by improved state handling. Apple fixed it in macOS Monterey 12.1, watchOS 8.3, iOS 15.2, iPadOS 15.2, and tvOS 15.2. The bundle provides no CVSS, CWE, detailed affected-version ranges, or root-cause details beyond potential kernel-privileged arbitrary code execution.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to Apple devices running affected pre-fix versions of macOS Monterey, watchOS, iOS, iPadOS, or tvOS. The source bundle does not define exact vulnerable version ranges or affected hardware models.
Exploitation context
The sources describe a malicious-application prerequisite and kernel-privilege impact. They do not state active exploitation, public exploit availability, or remote exploitation. CISA KEV status is false in the provided bundle.
Researcher notes
Public technical detail is sparse. Treat this as a local privilege-escalation or kernel-code-execution class issue based on Apple’s wording. Do not assume a specific component, exploit primitive, or bypass path from the available evidence.
Mitigation direction
- Update iOS and iPadOS devices to 15.2 or later.
- Update macOS Monterey systems to 12.1 or later.
- Update watchOS devices to 8.3 or later.
- Update tvOS devices to 15.2 or later.
- For unsupported devices, check Apple guidance for available security options.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Apple device OS versions across managed and unmanaged assets.
- Confirm each platform is at or above Apple’s listed fixed release.
- Check Apple security update pages for CVE-2021-30955 coverage.
- Review MDM compliance reports for devices stuck below fixed versions.
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-2021-30955 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/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.