Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-30996 is an Apple operating system kernel issue. A malicious app could potentially run code with kernel privileges, giving it deep control of a device. Apple says the issue was fixed in macOS Monterey 12.1 and iOS/iPadOS 15.2.
Executive priority
Treat this as high priority for Apple endpoint hygiene because kernel-level compromise can undermine device security controls. Urgency is highest where users can install apps or where devices handle sensitive business data.
Technical view
Apple describes this as a race condition fixed through improved state handling. The stated impact is arbitrary code execution with kernel privileges by a malicious application. The public bundle does not provide CVSS, CWE, precise affected version ranges, or component-level detail.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on Apple macOS, iPhone, and iPad devices that have not reached macOS Monterey 12.1 or iOS/iPadOS 15.2. Exact vulnerable version ranges are not specified in the provided sources.
Exploitation context
The sources support a local malicious-application scenario, not remote unauthenticated exploitation. The CVE is not listed as KEV in the provided bundle, and no cited source states active exploitation.
Researcher notes
Public detail is sparse. Analysis should stay anchored to Apple’s stated race-condition and malicious-app impact. Avoid assuming the vulnerable kernel component, exploit reliability, or additional affected Apple products without more vendor evidence.
Mitigation direction
- Update macOS systems to Monterey 12.1 or later where applicable.
- Update iPhones and iPads to iOS/iPadOS 15.2 or later.
- Check Apple guidance for unsupported or older major-version devices.
- Prioritize managed devices that allow user-installed applications.
Validation and detection
- Inventory macOS, iOS, and iPadOS versions across the fleet.
- Confirm devices meet or exceed the Apple fixed versions.
- Review MDM compliance reports for lagging Apple endpoints.
- Verify unsupported devices have a risk decision or replacement plan.
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-2021-30996 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/HT212976CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212978CVE 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.