CVE-2021-1847 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A memory corruption issue in macOS has been identified and addressed by Apple with improved validation. This vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2021-1847, impacts various versions of macOS and can result in unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution when a malicious file is opened.

Understanding CVE-2021-1847

This CVE record highlights critical information about a memory corruption vulnerability in macOS that has been patched by Apple to prevent potential exploitation.

What is CVE-2021-1847?

CVE-2021-1847 is a memory corruption vulnerability in macOS that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause applications to terminate unexpectedly by tricking users into opening a specially crafted file.

The Impact of CVE-2021-1847

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it can lead to unauthorized code execution, potentially compromising the security and integrity of affected systems. Users are advised to apply the necessary security updates promptly to mitigate the risk.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-1847

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in macOS allows malicious actors to exploit a memory corruption issue by persuading users to open a crafted file. Once executed, this could result in the unintended termination of applications or the execution of arbitrary code on the system.

Affected Systems and Versions

CVE-2021-1847 impacts multiple versions of macOS, including those that are lower than macOS Big Sur 11.3 and macOS versions released before 2021. Users of affected systems are at risk of falling victim to arbitrary code execution if they interact with malicious files.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of CVE-2021-1847 occurs when a user opens a specially crafted file that triggers the memory corruption issue within the operating system. This action can lead to severe consequences such as application crashes or unauthorized code execution.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems against CVE-2021-1847 and similar vulnerabilities, users are advised to take immediate steps, maintain long-term security practices, and stay updated with the latest patches and security updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should update their macOS systems to the latest version, apply security patches provided by Apple, and avoid opening files from untrusted or unknown sources to mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

In addition to applying immediate patches, users should implement robust security practices such as regular system updates, utilizing antivirus software, exercising caution while browsing and downloading files, and staying informed about potential security threats.

Patching and Updates

Apple has released patches addressing CVE-2021-1847 in macOS Big Sur 11.3, Security Update 2021-002 Catalina, and Security Update 2021-003 Mojave. Users are strongly recommended to install these updates promptly to protect their systems from potential exploitation.