CVE-2021-30764 in tvOS
Summary
by MITRE • 09/08/2021
Processing a maliciously crafted file may lead to arbitrary code execution. This issue is fixed in iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5, watchOS 7.4, tvOS 14.5. This issue was addressed with improved checks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical remote code execution flaw that could be exploited through the processing of specially crafted malicious files. The issue affects Apple's mobile operating systems including iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS, with the vulnerability being remediated in versions 14.5 and 7.4 respectively. The flaw falls under the category of improper input validation where the system fails to properly sanitize or verify file contents before processing, creating an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious code that executes with the privileges of the affected application or system process.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with common software security weaknesses that enable arbitrary code execution through file parsing or interpretation flaws. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to execute code remotely without requiring user interaction beyond the mere act of opening or processing the malicious file. The exploitation mechanism likely involves buffer overflows, format string vulnerabilities, or similar memory corruption issues that occur during file parsing operations. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and the principle of least privilege in software design, where applications should never trust external inputs and should always validate and sanitize data before processing.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to potentially compromise entire device ecosystems and user data. Attackers could leverage this flaw to install persistent backdoors, steal sensitive information, or escalate privileges to gain full system control. The affected platforms represent a significant attack surface given their widespread use in enterprise and consumer environments, with the potential for large-scale exploitation across millions of devices. Organizations relying on Apple devices for business operations face serious risk exposure, particularly in environments where mobile devices handle sensitive corporate data or serve as entry points to larger network infrastructures.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of the patched versions mentioned in the advisory, as well as implementing network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any devices that may not have been updated, while also implementing additional layers of protection such as mobile device management solutions and network segmentation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and the risks associated with delayed patch deployment. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability would map to techniques involving exploitation for code execution and privilege escalation, while the CWE classification would likely involve weaknesses such as CWE-121 for buffer overflow or CWE-125 for out-of-bounds read conditions. Organizations should also consider implementing behavioral monitoring and endpoint detection solutions to identify anomalous file processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts, given the stealthy nature of such vulnerabilities in modern attack environments.