Learn about CVE-2021-30982, a race condition vulnerability in macOS that allows remote attackers to cause unexpected application termination or heap corruption. Find out how to mitigate this security risk.
A race condition in macOS has been identified and addressed with improved locking mechanisms. This vulnerability, assigned CVE-2021-30982, affects multiple versions of macOS and can potentially be exploited by a remote attacker to cause unexpected application termination or heap corruption.
Understanding CVE-2021-30982
This section will provide insights into the nature of the vulnerability and its potential impact on affected systems.
What is CVE-2021-30982?
CVE-2021-30982 refers to a race condition security flaw in macOS that has been mitigated through enhanced locking mechanisms. The vulnerability could allow a remote attacker to trigger unexpected application termination or heap corruption.
The Impact of CVE-2021-30982
The impact of this CVE lies in its ability to be exploited by malicious actors to disrupt system stability and potentially execute unauthorized code, leading to application crashes or compromise of sensitive data.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-30982
This section will delve deeper into the technical aspects of the CVE, including vulnerability description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanisms.
Vulnerability Description
The race condition flaw in macOS addressed in CVE-2021-30982 stems from insufficient locking mechanisms, which could be manipulated by remote attackers to induce application crashes or heap corruption.
Affected Systems and Versions
The vulnerability impacts macOS versions prior to macOS Monterey 12.1, macOS Big Sur 11.6, and versions released before 2021. Users on these versions are at risk of exploitation by threat actors.
Exploitation Mechanism
A remote attacker exploiting CVE-2021-30982 could potentially trigger the race condition in macOS, leading to unexpected application termination or manipulation of heap data to achieve their malicious goals.
Mitigation and Prevention
This section outlines the necessary steps to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2021-30982 and prevent potential exploitation.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users should promptly update their macOS systems to the latest secure versions, specifically macOS Monterey 12.1, macOS Big Sur 11.6, or any subsequent releases that address the vulnerability.
Long-Term Security Practices
Maintaining regular system updates, implementing secure coding practices, and deploying robust endpoint protection solutions can enhance overall cybersecurity resilience and reduce the likelihood of successful attacks.
Patching and Updates
Apple has released patches for CVE-2021-30982 in macOS Monterey 12.1, Security Update 2021-008 Catalina, and macOS Big Sur 11.6.2. Users are strongly advised to apply these patches to secure their systems against potential exploitation.