CVE-2021-30880 : What You Need to Know

Apple has addressed an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in macOS that could allow an attacker to cause unexpected application termination or disclose process memory. Here's all you need to know about CVE-2021-30880.

Understanding CVE-2021-30880

This section provides an overview of the CVE-2021-30880 vulnerability, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2021-30880?

CVE-2021-30880 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in macOS that was fixed with improved bounds checking in macOS Monterey 12.0.1, Security Update 2021-007 Catalina, and macOS Big Sur 11.6.1. By processing a specially crafted AppleScript binary, an attacker could trigger unexpected application termination or disclose process memory.

The Impact of CVE-2021-30880

The vulnerability could be exploited by a remote attacker to crash applications or leak sensitive information from the target system. It poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-30880

Let's dive deeper into the technical aspects of CVE-2021-30880 to understand how the vulnerability works.

Vulnerability Description

CVE-2021-30880 involves an out-of-bounds read issue in macOS, allowing an attacker to read beyond the bounds of allocated memory, potentially leading to information disclosure or application crashes.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected versions include macOS versions less than 12.0, macOS versions less than 2021, and macOS versions less than 11.6. Users running these versions are at risk of exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit CVE-2021-30880, an attacker needs to craft a malicious AppleScript binary and trick the victim into executing it. Once executed, the script can trigger the vulnerability and carry out malicious activities.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting your systems from CVE-2021-30880 requires immediate action and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update macOS to the latest version (Monterey 12.0.1, Security Update 2021-007 Catalina, or Big Sur 11.6.1).
Avoid running untrusted AppleScript binaries or scripts from unknown sources.
Implement robust endpoint protection solutions to detect and block malicious activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly install security updates and patches released by Apple.
Follow best practices for secure coding and script execution to minimize the risk of similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Apple and promptly apply any patches or updates to address critical vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-30880.