CVE-2021-30869
CVE-2021-30869 is a security flaw in Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, the software on Apple’s iPhones, iPads and Macs. Attackers can run their own code on Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks on 3 Nov 2021.[1]
Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS is in things households have, such as phones, computers, browsers and everyday apps, so the fix matters at home as much as at work. Fixed in version 14.4, 11.2, 12.5 and 2021.
Description
CISA calls it a type confusion in Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. In its words: “Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS contain a type confusion vulnerability in the XNU which may allow a malicious application to execute code with kernel privileges.”[1]
The CVE record adds: “A type confusion issue was addressed with improved state handling. This issue is fixed in iOS 12.5.5, iOS 14.4 and iPadOS 14.4, macOS Big Sur 11.2, Security Update 2021-001 Catalina, Security Update 2021-001 Mojave, Security Update 2021-006 Catalina. A malicious application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Apple is aware of reports that an exploit for this issue exists in the wild.”[2]
The underlying weakness is type confusion (CWE-843), in MITRE’s list of common software weaknesses.
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System, which rates it high, scored by NVD using CVSS 3.1.[2]
Affected versions
NVD’s record lists these fixed versions: in each line, everything before the version shown is affected.[2]
| Product | Fixed in |
|---|---|
| iOS and iPadOS | 14.4 |
| macOS | 11.2 |
| macOS | 12.5 |
| macOS | 2021 |
Every device with Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS needs the update.
Exploitation
CISA added it to its catalog of known exploited vulnerabilities on 3 Nov 2021, 71 days after it was made public. CISA lists a flaw only when it has reliable evidence of it being exploited, and gave US federal agencies until 17 Nov 2021 to fix it.[1]
FIRST’s Exploit Prediction Scoring System, which estimates how likely a flaw is to be used in attacks in the next 30 days from what it sees across the internet, puts it at 4%. That’s in the top 10% of the flaws it scores.[4]
CISA assesses it as not automatable: each attack takes some work.
CISA doesn’t say who was attacked, or how.
Fix
Apple has published a fix or advice.[3] CISA’s required action: “Apply updates per vendor instructions.”[1]
- Update Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS now.On iPhone and iPad: Settings, General, Software Update. On a Mac: System Settings, General, Software Update. Install it on every Apple device in the house. Then turn on automatic updates, so the next fix arrives on its own.
- Check you’re on 14.4 or later.Fixed in version 14.4, 11.2, 12.5 and 2021. Anything older is what attackers are going after.
- If there’s no update, stop using it.CISA’s advice when a flaw being used in attacks has no fix is to stop using the product until it does.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| The flaw is made public in the National Vulnerability Database, with a severity score of 7.8.[2] | |
| CISA adds it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks.[1] | |
| CISA’s deadline for US government agencies to fix it.[1] | |
| FIRST puts the odds of it being used in attacks in the next 30 days at 4%.[4] |
See also
Other Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS flaws
- CVE-2025-43300: out-of-bounds write ·
- CVE-2023-41064: imageIO buffer overflow ·
- CVE-2023-28206: iOSurfaceAccelerator out-of-bounds write ·
- CVE-2021-30900: out-of-bounds write ·
- CVE-2022-32917: remote code execution ·
- CVE-2020-9934: input validation ·
Other Apple flaws
- CVE-2026-86950, Apple devices: out-of-bounds write ·
- CVE-2026-65400, Apple macOS: improper authentication ·
- CVE-2025-43520, Apple devices: classic buffer overflow ·
- CVE-2025-43510, Apple devices: improper locking ·
- CVE-2025-31277, Apple devices: buffer overflow ·
Other type confusion flaws
- CVE-2026-85046, Chrome and other Chromium browsers: type confusion ·
- CVE-2026-21519, Microsoft Windows: type confusion ·
- CVE-2025-13223, Chrome and other Chromium browsers: type confusion ·
- CVE-2025-10585, Chrome and other Chromium browsers: type confusion ·
- CVE-2025-6554, Chrome and other Chromium browsers: type confusion ·
Added the same day
- CVE-2021-42258, BQE BillQuick Web Suite: SQL injection ·
- CVE-2021-42013, Apache HTTP Server: path traversal ·
- CVE-2021-41773, Apache HTTP Server: path traversal ·
- CVE-2021-40539, Zoho ManageEngine: aDSelfService plus authentication bypass ·
- CVE-2021-40444, Microsoft MSHTML: remote code execution ·
Every Apple flaw on CISA’s list · Everything added in November 2021
References
- ^ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS Type Confusion Vulnerability”. Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, added 3 Nov 2021.
- ^ National Institute of Standards and Technology. “CVE-2021-30869 Detail”. National Vulnerability Database, published 24 Aug 2021.
- ^ Apple. Advisories and fixes: support.apple.com, support.apple.com, support.apple.com, support.apple.com.
- ^ FIRST. “Exploit Prediction Scoring System”. EPSS 0.042, percentile 90.9, 31 Oct 2026.
- CVE Program. “CVE-2021-30869”. The official CVE record.
This article is built from CISA’s catalog (version 2026.10.30), NVD’s record and FIRST’s scores, kept in HARD’s database and checked every morning. The plain English is HARD’s.