CVE-2021-30703 : Security Advisory and Response
Learn about CVE-2021-30703 impacting iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. Discover the risk of arbitrary code execution, affected versions, and mitigation steps to protect Apple users.
A double free issue affecting various Apple products has been addressed with improved memory management. The vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2021-30703, allows an application to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.
Understanding CVE-2021-30703
This section provides an overview of the vulnerability, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.
What is CVE-2021-30703?
CVE-2021-30703 is a double free vulnerability that could be exploited by a malicious application to run arbitrary code with kernel privileges on affected Apple devices.
The Impact of CVE-2021-30703
The vulnerability affects multiple Apple products, including iOS and iPadOS versions less than 14.6, macOS versions less than 11.4 and 14.6, as well as certain macOS versions earlier than 7.5 and 2021. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized execution of code with elevated privileges.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-30703
The technical aspects of the vulnerability, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism are discussed in this section.
Vulnerability Description
The double free issue in the affected Apple products has been addressed through enhanced memory management, preventing potential arbitrary code execution by malicious applications.
Affected Systems and Versions
iOS and iPadOS versions prior to 14.6, macOS versions earlier than 11.4 and 14.6, and certain older macOS versions are susceptible to this vulnerability.
Exploitation Mechanism
An application leveraging the double free vulnerability could exploit it to execute code with kernel privileges, bypassing system security measures.
Mitigation and Prevention
Recommendations and actions to mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2021-30703 are highlighted in this section.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users are advised to update their Apple devices to the latest supported software versions that include security patches addressing CVE-2021-30703.
Long-Term Security Practices
Practicing good security hygiene, such as avoiding suspicious applications and maintaining up-to-date software, can help prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities.
Patching and Updates
Regularly monitoring and applying software updates released by Apple for the affected products is crucial to safeguard devices against known vulnerabilities.