ZeroHour

CVE-2021-30983

KEVmass

Kernel Buffer Overflow in Apple iOS and iPadOS Enables Arbitrary Code Execution

CISA: Apple iOS and iPadOS Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

CVSS 3.1
7.8 high
EPSS
3%p86
Published
()
KEV added
AI analysis

CVE-2021-30983 is a buffer overflow (CWE-120) in Apple iOS and iPadOS, caused by improper memory handling, that was corrected in iOS 15.2 and iPadOS 15.2. It is triggered locally by an application running on the device (CVSS local attack vector with user interaction), so a user must run a malicious or compromised app for the flaw to be reached. Successful exploitation allows that application to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, giving the attacker near-complete control of the affected iPhone or iPad. Anyone using an iPhone or iPad running a version earlier than iOS/iPadOS 15.2 is affected. The vulnerability is confirmed exploited in the wild, having been added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2022-06-27, with EPSS estimating a 2.9% probability of exploitation within 30 days; no public proof-of-concept is known.

What to do: Upgrade all iPhones and iPads to iOS 15.2 or iPadOS 15.2 or later per Apple's instructions, as this is the required action in CISA's KEV catalog. Use MDM or device inventory to identify any devices still below 15.2 and prioritize them for patching; until updated, limit app installation from untrusted sources, since exploitation requires running an application on the device.

Affected
Apple iOS (iPhone OS)All versions prior to iOS 15.2
Apple iPadOSAll versions prior to iPadOS 15.2
Estimated exposure
masshundreds of millions of iPhone/iPad devices (Apple's active installed base exceeds 1 billion; every device not yet updated to iOS/iPadOS 15.2 is affected) — Apple's publicly reported active iPhone and iPad installed base is over one billion devices, and at disclosure a substantial share of that fleet typically runs older versions, so any device below iOS/iPadOS 15.2 remains vulnerable.

Order-of-magnitude estimate by the model from install counts, market share and public scan data it knows; verify before quoting.

Description

A buffer overflow issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in iOS 15.2 and iPadOS 15.2. An application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.

CISA Known Exploited Vulnerability
Affected
Apple iOS and iPadOS
Required action
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Due date
Ransomware use
Unknown
Vendors
apple
Products
ipados, iphone os
Weakness
CWE-120
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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