Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This Apple vulnerability can be triggered by playing a malicious audio file and may allow arbitrary code execution. Apple fixed it across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS releases. The source bundle does not identify active exploitation, a CVSS score, or the vulnerable component.
Executive priority
Prioritize normal-to-urgent Apple patch compliance, especially for managed fleets that process email, messaging, or downloaded media. The arbitrary code execution impact is serious, but the bundle does not show active exploitation or broader technical details.
Technical view
CVE-2021-30958 is described as an out-of-bounds read corrected with improved input validation. The documented impact is arbitrary code execution after playing a malicious audio file. Fixed releases include iOS/iPadOS 15.2, macOS Monterey 12.1, macOS Big Sur 11.6.2, Security Update 2021-008 Catalina, tvOS 15.2, and watchOS 8.3.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to Apple devices running versions older than the fixed releases named by Apple. The bundle lists affected Apple platforms but does not provide precise vulnerable version ranges, device models, or vulnerable media components.
Exploitation context
The provided sources support a user-interaction scenario: playing a malicious audio file. There is no KEV listing and no cited evidence of active exploitation in the bundle. Treat claims of exploitation as unconfirmed unless supported by additional vendor or KEV evidence.
Researcher notes
Key unknowns are the affected component, exact vulnerable version ranges, CVSS metrics, and exploit maturity. Research should stay focused on Apple advisory text and version validation unless additional authoritative sources become available.
Mitigation direction
- Update iOS and iPadOS devices to 15.2 or later.
- Update macOS Monterey to 12.1 or later.
- Update macOS Big Sur to 11.6.2 or later.
- Apply Security Update 2021-008 on macOS Catalina.
- Update tvOS to 15.2 and watchOS to 8.3 or later.
- Check Apple support pages for platform-specific guidance.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Apple endpoints and record OS versions.
- Compare each device version against Apple’s fixed releases.
- Confirm MDM compliance policies require the fixed versions or later.
- Review Apple support articles for applicable platforms.
- Do not validate by playing suspicious audio files.
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-2021-30958 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.