CVE-2021-1782
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2021-1782 is a race condition vulnerability in Apple operating systems that allows malicious applications to elevate privileges. This affects macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS users. Apple reported this vulnerability may have been actively exploited in the wild.
💻 Affected Systems
- macOS
- iOS
- iPadOS
- watchOS
- tvOS
📦 What is this software?
Ipados by Apple
Macos by Apple
macOS is Apple's desktop and laptop operating system powering Mac computers used by millions of professionals, developers, creative professionals, and enterprise users worldwide. Built on a Unix foundation with the Darwin kernel and modern Cocoa frameworks, macOS delivers a seamless ecosystem integr...
Learn more about Macos →Tvos by Apple
Watchos by Apple
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise with root-level access, allowing installation of persistent malware, data theft, and lateral movement.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation enabling malicious apps to bypass sandbox restrictions and access sensitive system resources.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper application sandboxing and least privilege principles in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Apple confirmed active exploitation. Requires user to install malicious application or have local access.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: macOS Big Sur 11.2, Security Update 2021-001 Catalina, Security Update 2021-001 Mojave, watchOS 7.3, tvOS 14.4, iOS 14.4, iPadOS 14.4
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212146
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open System Preferences > Software Update. 2. Install available security updates. 3. Restart device when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Application Restriction
macOSRestrict installation of applications from untrusted sources
sudo spctl --master-enable
sudo spctl --enable
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict application allowlisting policies
- Enforce least privilege principles and restrict user administrative rights
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check system version against affected versions listCheck Version:
macOS: sw_vers -productVersion, iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > About > VersionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify system version matches or exceeds patched versions📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected privilege escalation events
- Suspicious process creation with elevated privileges
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from system processes
SIEM Query:
process where parent_process_name in ('sudo', 'su', 'launchd') and process_name not in (expected_process_list)🔗 References
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212146
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212147
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212148
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212149
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212146
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212147
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212148
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212149
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-1782
