Assessment
Why it matters
CISA lists this vulnerability as known to be exploited; exploitation is confirmed; EPSS is 28.8%; technical severity is CVSS 7.8.
A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Big Sur 11.5.1, iOS 14.7.1 and iPadOS 14.7.1, watchOS 7.6.1. An application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited.
Who should care
- Teams operating Ipados, Iphone Os, macOS +2 more
- Vulnerability and exposure management teams
- Security operations teams monitoring exploitation activity
Response plan
What I would do
- Confirm whether Ipados, Iphone Os, macOS +2 more is present in the environment.
- Identify affected versions and establish whether vulnerable services are exposed or reachable.
- Apple Security release notes HT212622
- Review relevant security telemetry for evidence of attempted or successful exploitation.
- Document the remediation decision and track it to verified completion.
Treatment intelligence
Remediation intelligence
Vendor sources are listed before government and third-party guidance. Confirm product applicability and change prerequisites before deployment.
Verification noteAutomated link verification has not completed for this guidance yet.
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Technical details
- CVSS vector
- CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- CWE
- CWE-787
- Affected versions
- Apple Ipados (End Excluding 14.7.1); Apple Iphone Os (End Excluding 14.7.1); Apple macOS (End Excluding 11.5.1); Apple Multiple Products; Apple Watchos (End Excluding 7.6.1)
- Fixed versions
- Apple Ipados (Fixed from 14.7.1); Apple Iphone Os (Fixed from 14.7.1); Apple macOS (Fixed from 11.5.1); Apple Watchos (Fixed from 7.6.1)
- Published
- 19 October 2021
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- Required
Signal timeline
- CVE published
- Added to CISA KEV
- Latest EPSS score: 28.8%
- Signal calculated at 74