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CVE Record

CVE-2021-30957: A buffer overflow issue was addressed with improved memory handling.

A buffer overflow issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Monterey 12.1, watchOS 8.3, iOS 15.2 and iPadOS 15.2, tvOS 15.2. Processing a maliciously crafted audio file may lead to arbitrary code execution.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2021-30957 is an Apple audio-processing memory safety flaw. A maliciously crafted audio file could cause arbitrary code execution on affected Apple platforms. Apple says the issue was fixed with improved memory handling in December 2021 platform updates. The source bundle does not provide CVSS, detailed vulnerable version ranges, or evidence of active exploitation.

Executive priority

Treat this as a patch-compliance priority across managed Apple fleets. The business risk is arbitrary code execution through malicious media, but urgency is moderated by the lack of cited active exploitation evidence.

Technical view

Apple describes this as a buffer overflow triggered by processing a maliciously crafted audio file, with potential arbitrary code execution. Fixes are listed for macOS Monterey 12.1, watchOS 8.3, iOS 15.2 and iPadOS 15.2, and tvOS 15.2. No CWE, CVSS vector, vulnerable component name, or exploit telemetry is provided.

Likely exposure

Organizations with Apple Macs, iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, or Apple TVs running versions older than the named fixed releases may be exposed. The exact vulnerable version ranges are not specified in the provided sources.

Exploitation context

The source bundle supports a malicious-file processing scenario, not remote unauthenticated exploitation by itself. KEV status is false, and no cited source in the bundle states active exploitation.

Researcher notes

Evidence is limited to Apple and CVE metadata. The advisory names a buffer overflow and improved memory handling but does not identify the exact parser, affected version ranges, CVSS, CWE, indicators of compromise, or exploit prerequisites beyond crafted audio processing.

Mitigation direction

  • Update Apple devices to the named fixed releases or later.
  • Use MDM inventory to find Apple devices below fixed versions.
  • Prioritize devices that handle external or user-supplied media files.
  • For unpatched devices, reduce exposure to untrusted audio files.
  • Check Apple advisories for product-specific update guidance.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm macOS devices run Monterey 12.1 or later where applicable.
  • Confirm iPhone and iPad devices run iOS/iPadOS 15.2 or later.
  • Confirm Apple Watch devices run watchOS 8.3 or later.
  • Confirm Apple TV devices run tvOS 15.2 or later.
  • Review vulnerability scanner results against Apple update levels.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
6

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

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.

description · low confidence lookup

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.

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2021-30957 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

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.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
6Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
ApplewatchOSunspecifiedListed
AppleiOS and iPadOSunspecifiedListed
ApplemacOSunspecifiedListed
ApplemacOSunspecifiedListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.