Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HCVSS and EPSS are reproduced from their sources (NVD, FIRST EPSS). Risk Priority is our own derived reading, not an NVD score.
Summary
CVE-2021-30883 is a high-severity Out-of-bounds Write (CWE-787) vulnerability in Apple Ipados. Its CVSS base score is 7.8 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Security Account Manager (T1003.002); ranked in the top 3% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; CISA has added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Deeper analysis AI-assisted summary
Synthesised by an AI model from the NVD description and linked references — a reading aid, not an authoritative source.
A memory corruption vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2021-30883 and assigned CWE-787, was present in multiple Apple operating systems. The flaw stems from improper memory handling that could be triggered by an application, and it affects iOS and iPadOS prior to 15.0.2 and 14.8.1, macOS Monterey prior to 12.0.1, macOS Big Sur prior to 11.6.1, tvOS prior to 15.1, and watchOS prior to 8.1. The issue received a CVSS v3.1 score of 7.8.
An attacker who can supply a malicious application or document may exploit the flaw to achieve arbitrary code execution with kernel privileges. The attack vector is local and requires user interaction but no prior authentication, allowing a crafted file or app opened by the victim to compromise the system at the highest privilege level.
Apple has released security updates that address the vulnerability through improved memory handling. The fixes are documented in the vendor advisories available at the referenced support pages for each affected platform, and users are advised to install the updates for iOS 15.0.2, iPadOS 15.0.2, macOS Monterey 12.0.1, iOS 14.8.1, iPadOS 14.8.1, tvOS 15.1, watchOS 8.1, and macOS Big Sur 11.6.1.
Apple has stated that it is aware of reports indicating the vulnerability may have been actively exploited in the wild prior to patching.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2021-17800
Vulnerability Data
A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in iOS 15.0.2 and iPadOS 15.0.2, macOS Monterey 12.0.1, iOS 14.8.1 and iPadOS 14.8.1, tvOS 15.1, watchOS 8.1, macOS Big Sur 11.6.1. An application may be…
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able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited..
- CWE(s)
- KEV Date Added
- 23 May 2022
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Techniques
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Likely Mitigating Controls AI
Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.
Out-of-bounds writes that corrupt control flow or inject shellcode are rendered non-executable by the same memory protections.
Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Vulnerability scanning and recording can discover out-of-bounds write flaws so they can be remediated.
Patching or replacing vulnerable software directly eliminates known instances of this coding weakness.
Secure-development practices (static analysis, bounds checking, code review) are the primary means of preventing out-of-bounds writes.
Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.