CVE-2021-30983
KEVmassKernel Buffer Overflow in Apple iOS and iPadOS Enables Arbitrary Code Execution
CISA: Apple iOS and iPadOS Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
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.
| Apple iOS (iPhone OS) | All versions prior to iOS 15.2 |
| Apple iPadOS | All versions prior to iPadOS 15.2 |
Order-of-magnitude estimate by the model from install counts, market share and public scan data it knows; verify before quoting.
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.
- 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