CVE-2021-30911 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

An out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Apple products iOS, iPadOS, and macOS has been identified and addressed. This CVE affects multiple versions of these operating systems and can lead to a disclosure of memory contents when processing a malicious USD file.

Understanding CVE-2021-30911

This CVE, assigned to Apple, poses a security risk to users of affected versions of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS due to an out-of-bounds read vulnerability.

What is CVE-2021-30911?

The CVE-2021-30911 refers to an out-of-bounds read vulnerability present in Apple's iOS, iPadOS, and macOS operating systems. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious USD file to access sensitive memory contents.

The Impact of CVE-2021-30911

This vulnerability could allow threat actors to extract sensitive information from affected devices when processing a specially crafted USD file. It poses a risk to the confidentiality of user data and system integrity.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-30911

Apple has released security updates to address this vulnerability for the following affected versions:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from improper bounds checking, enabling an out-of-bounds read. Apple addressed this issue with specific updates including macOS Monterey 12.0.1 and Security Update 2021-007 Catalina.

Affected Systems and Versions

iOS and iPadOS versions less than 15.1, macOS versions less than 12.0 and 2021, and macOS Big Sur versions less than 11.6 are impacted by CVE-2021-30911.

Exploitation Mechanism

By processing a specially crafted USD file, threat actors could trigger this vulnerability to expose memory contents on the targeted Apple devices.

Mitigation and Prevention

To protect against CVE-2021-30911, users are advised to take immediate steps and establish long-term security practices:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update affected devices to the latest available software versions provided by Apple, including macOS Monterey 12.0.1, Security Update 2021-007 Catalina, iOS 15.1, and iPadOS 15.1.
Avoid opening or processing untrusted or suspicious USD files to minimize the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly install security updates and patches released by Apple to ensure the protection of your devices against known vulnerabilities.
Implement robust security measures, such as firewalls and antivirus software, to enhance the overall security posture of your systems.
Educate users about the dangers of opening files from unknown or untrusted sources to prevent potential exploitation of security vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

By promptly applying the latest security patches released by Apple, users can mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2021-30911 and enhance the security of their iOS, iPadOS, and macOS devices.