External risk intelligence

Apple Software Code Execution Risk

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2021-30665

A memory corruption issue in Apple software could allow arbitrary code execution. This impacts systems processing specially crafted web content. The business risk involves potential compromise of system and data integrity and availability.Apple software contains a memory corruption vulnerability that could allow arbitr

4Halo Surface Signal

Out-of-bounds Write

Apple Ipados

before 14.5.1before 12.5.313.0 to before 14.5.1before 11.3.1before 14.6before 7.4.1

External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2021-30665

The vulnerability affects WebKit, the engine powering web browsers and web-content rendering across Apple operating systems. Because these components are designed to process arbitrary, untrusted web content from the public internet during standard web browsing activities, they are commonly exposed to network-based threats.

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

A memory corruption issue within Apple's operating systems could allow for arbitrary code execution. This flaw exists when processing specifically crafted web content. The potential impact could affect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems and data.

  • Vulnerable web content processing
  • Memory corruption flaw
  • Arbitrary code execution

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

A memory corruption vulnerability in WebKit allowed for arbitrary code execution when processing specially crafted web content. This issue has been addressed by Apple through software updates for multiple operating systems. Reports indicate that this vulnerability may have been actively exploited, posing a risk to organizations utilizing affected systems.

  • Malicious web content is exposed.
  • Attacker accesses via web browser.
  • Triggering action leads to code execution.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

A memory corruption vulnerability in Apple's WebKit could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code by processing specially crafted web content. Apple has acknowledged reports that this issue may have been actively exploited. This vulnerability presents a significant risk as it can be triggered remotely through web browsing activities.

  • Likely attacker skill level: Low.
  • Required access or conditions: Network access and user interaction with malicious content.
  • Business risk or urgency: High.

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

This vulnerability presents a risk of arbitrary code execution when processing specially crafted web content. The vendor has released updates to address this memory corruption issue through improved state management. Organizations should prioritize identifying affected systems, reducing potential exposure, applying the vendor's fix, and verifying its successful implementation. Ongoing monitoring for related activities is also recommended.

  • Find affected assets.
  • Reduce exposure or isolate risk.
  • Fix, verify, and monitor.

Frequently asked questions

What is Apple's WebKit and how does it process web content?

WebKit is a browser engine developed by Apple that powers Safari and is used by many applications on Apple devices to render web pages. This means that any application displaying web links or using in-app browsers utilizes WebKit to process and display web content.

What type of weakness does CVE-2021-30665 represent?

CVE-2021-30665 is a memory corruption vulnerability, classified as CWE-787. This indicates an issue where data is written outside the boundaries of allocated memory, which could potentially be exploited for arbitrary code execution.

How can an attacker exploit CVE-2021-30665?

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by tricking a user into visiting a website that displays maliciously crafted web content. This content is processed by the vulnerable WebKit component, leading to the potential for arbitrary code execution.

What is the significance of CVE-2021-30665 according to Halo Surface Signal?

Halo Surface Signal assesses CVE-2021-30665 as 'Likely' to be exploited because it affects WebKit, the web rendering engine used across multiple Apple operating systems. This component is frequently exposed to network-based threats due to its function of processing untrusted web content during regular browsing.

What steps should be taken to address CVE-2021-30665?

To address this vulnerability, organizations should identify all affected Apple systems, apply the vendor-provided software updates that fix the memory corruption issue, and confirm successful implementation. Continuous monitoring for any related malicious activity is also advised.

References