CVE-2021-30652
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a race condition vulnerability in Apple operating systems that allows malicious applications to gain root privileges. It affects macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS systems running outdated versions. The vulnerability enables privilege escalation from a standard user to root access.
💻 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 full control over the device.
Likely Case
Malicious applications gaining elevated privileges to bypass security controls, access protected data, or install additional payloads.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper application sandboxing and security controls, though privilege escalation could still occur.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires race condition timing and local application execution. No public exploit code available.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Security Update 2021-002 Catalina, Security Update 2021-003 Mojave, iOS 14.5, iPadOS 14.5, watchOS 7.4, tvOS 14.5, macOS Big Sur 11.3
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212317
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open System Preferences > Software Update. 2. Install all available security updates. 3. Restart the device when prompted. For iOS/iPadOS: Settings > General > Software Update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Application Restriction
macosRestrict installation of applications from untrusted sources to reduce attack surface.
For macOS: System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General > Allow apps downloaded from: App Store and identified developers
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict application control policies to prevent installation of untrusted applications
- Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to monitor for privilege escalation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check current OS version against affected versions list. For macOS: About This Mac > Overview. For iOS: Settings > General > About > Version.Check Version:
For macOS: sw_vers. For iOS: Settings > General > About > Version.Verify Fix Applied:
Verify OS version is equal to or newer than patched versions listed in fix_official section.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected privilege escalation events
- Processes running with root privileges from user applications
- Security framework violations
Network Indicators:
- None - local exploitation only
SIEM Query:
process where parent_process_name in ("AppName", "OtherApp") and user="root"🔗 References
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212317
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212323
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212324
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212325
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212326
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212327
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212317
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212323
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212324
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212325
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212326
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212327
