CVE-2021-30688 : Security Advisory and Response
Learn about CVE-2021-30688, a macOS security vulnerability allowing malicious applications to break out of the sandbox. Find out impacted systems and mitigation steps.
A malicious application may be able to break out of its sandbox in macOS. This security issue has been fixed in macOS Big Sur 11.4 and Security Update 2021-003 Catalina due to a path handling issue that has been addressed with improved validation.
Understanding CVE-2021-30688
This CVE describes a vulnerability in macOS that allows a malicious application to escape its sandbox environment.
What is CVE-2021-30688?
CVE-2021-30688 is a security vulnerability in macOS where a malicious application could potentially break out of its sandbox, posing a risk to system security.
The Impact of CVE-2021-30688
The impact of this CVE is significant as it could be exploited by threat actors to bypass security measures and gain unauthorized access to system resources.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-30688
This section outlines the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability allows a malicious application to escape its sandbox environment due to a path handling issue that lacked proper validation.
Affected Systems and Versions
macOS versions less than 11.4 and those released before 2021 are affected by this security issue.
Exploitation Mechanism
Threat actors can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious application that takes advantage of the path handling issue to break out of the sandbox.
Mitigation and Prevention
To secure systems against CVE-2021-30688, immediate steps should be taken along with implementing long-term security practices and applying necessary patches and updates.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users should update their macOS to version 11.4 or apply Security Update 2021-003 Catalina to mitigate the risk of exploitation.
Long-Term Security Practices
Practicing good security hygiene, such as avoiding unknown software downloads and staying vigilant against social engineering attacks, can help prevent security breaches.
Patching and Updates
Regularly installing security updates and patches provided by Apple is crucial to address known vulnerabilities and protect the system from potential threats.