External risk intelligence

Apple macOS Gatekeeper Bypass Vulnerability

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2021-30657

A vulnerability in macOS allowed malicious applications to bypass Gatekeeper security checks. This could impact organizations by enabling unauthorized software execution. Apple is aware this issue may have been exploited and has released updates.

1Halo Surface Signal

Apple Mac Os X

10.15 to 10.15.510.15.610.15.711.0 to before 11.3

External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2021-30657

This vulnerability affects local macOS Gatekeeper checks. Exploitation requires a malicious application to be present and executed on the local system, making it inherently a local, client-side issue rather than a remotely accessible, internet-facing service.

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

This vulnerability impacts macOS systems, specifically affecting how applications are verified before execution. A flaw in the system's logic allowed malicious applications to circumvent security checks. This could potentially lead to the installation of unauthorized or harmful software on affected devices.

  • Vulnerable macOS component
  • Bypasses security checks
  • Unauthorized software installation

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

A logic issue in macOS allowed a malicious application to bypass Gatekeeper security checks. Apple is aware of reports indicating this issue may have been actively exploited. This could impact organizations by allowing unauthorized applications to run, potentially leading to further system compromise and data breaches.

  • Malicious app executed locally.
  • Bypasses security checks.
  • Leads to unauthorized execution.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

A security vulnerability in macOS could allow a malicious application to bypass Gatekeeper security checks, which are designed to protect users from unauthorized software. Apple is aware that this issue may have been actively exploited in the wild. The vulnerability has been addressed in software updates for macOS.

  • Low attacker skill level required.
  • Malicious application execution needed.
  • Potential for unauthorized software execution.

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

This vulnerability may allow a malicious application to bypass security checks, potentially impacting data integrity. Apple has addressed this issue with software updates.

  • Identify all macOS systems.
  • Isolate potentially vulnerable systems.
  • Apply vendor security updates.
  • Verify successful update deployment.
  • Monitor for related security events.

Frequently asked questions

What is the primary security risk associated with CVE-2021-30657 affecting Apple macOS?

The main risk is that a malicious application could bypass Gatekeeper checks, which are designed to prevent unauthorized software from running on your Mac. This means harmful applications might be installed and executed on your system.

How does the logic issue in macOS enable a Gatekeeper bypass?

The vulnerability stems from a logic issue that was addressed with improved state management in macOS. This allowed malicious applications to circumvent the normal security checks Gatekeeper performs before allowing software to run.

What is the practical impact of a successful Gatekeeper bypass on a macOS system?

A successful bypass means a malicious application could be executed on the system, potentially leading to unauthorized software installation, further system compromise, and data breaches. Apple has noted reports of this issue being actively exploited.

What is the relevance of CVE-2021-30657 to macOS users and organizations?

This vulnerability is relevant because it directly impacts the security of macOS systems by allowing unauthorized applications to run. Apple is aware of reports that this issue may have been actively exploited, posing a risk to users and potentially leading to further system compromise.

What steps should be taken to mitigate the risk of the macOS Gatekeeper bypass vulnerability?

Organizations should identify all macOS systems, isolate potentially vulnerable ones, and apply vendor security updates promptly. Verifying successful update deployment and monitoring for related security events are also crucial steps.

References