VDB-168801 · CVE-2021-1782 · HT212148

Apple watchOS up to 7.2 Kernel race condition

CVSS Meta Temp Score CVSS is a standardized scoring system to determine possibilities of attacks. The Temp Score considers temporal factors like disclosure, exploit and countermeasures. The unique Meta Score calculates the average score of different sources to provide a normalized scoring system.	Current Exploit Price (≈) Our analysts are monitoring exploit markets and are in contact with vulnerability brokers. The range indicates the observed or calculated exploit price to be seen on exploit markets. A good indicator to understand the monetary effort required for and the popularity of an attack.	CTI Interest Score Our Cyber Threat Intelligence team is monitoring different web sites, mailing lists, exploit markets and social media networks. The CTI Interest Score identifies the interest of attackers and the security community for this specific vulnerability in real-time. A high score indicates an elevated risk to be targeted for this vulnerability.
6.4	$0-$5k	0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Apple watchOS up to 7.2 and classified as problematic. The affected element is an unknown function of the component Kernel. Performing a manipulation results in race condition. This vulnerability is identified as CVE-2021-1782. The attack is only possible with local access. Additionally, an exploit exists. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Apple watchOS up to 7.2 (Smartwatch Operating System). It has been classified as problematic. This affects an unknown part of the component Kernel. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a race condition vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-362. The product contains a code sequence that can run concurrently with other code, and the code sequence requires temporary, exclusive access to a shared resource, but a timing window exists in which the shared resource can be modified by another code sequence that is operating concurrently. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

A race condition was addressed with improved locking. This issue is fixed in macOS Big Sur 11.2, Security Update 2021-001 Catalina, Security Update 2021-001 Mojave, watchOS 7.3, tvOS 14.4, iOS 14.4 and iPadOS 14.4. A malicious application may be able to elevate privileges. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited..

The weakness was released 01/26/2021 as HT212148 as confirmed advisory (Website). The advisory is shared at support.apple.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2021-1782. Technical details are unknown but a private exploit is available. The advisory points out:

A malicious application may be able to elevate privileges. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited.

It is declared as attacked. The CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog lists this issue since 11/03/2021 with a due date of 11/17/2021:

Apply updates per vendor instructions.

Upgrading to version 7.3 eliminates this vulnerability. A possible mitigation has been published immediately after the disclosure of the vulnerability. The advisory contains the following remark:

A race condition was addressed with improved locking.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Zero-Day.cz (600) and EUVD (EUVD-2021-7246). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

Smartwatch Operating System

Vendor

Apple

Name

watchOS

Version

License

commercial

Website

Vendor: https://www.apple.com/

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.4
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.4

VulDB Base Score: 5.3
VulDB Temp Score: 5.1
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 7.0
NVD Vector: 🔍

CNA Base Score: 7.0
CNA Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AV	AC	Au	C	I	A
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Vector	Complexity	Authentication	Confidentiality	Integrity	Availability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Race condition
CWE: CWE-362
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

Availability: 🔍
Access: Private
Status: Attacked

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

KEV Added: 🔍
KEV Due: 🔍
KEV Remediation: 🔍
KEV Ransomware: 🔍
KEV Notice: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

0-Day	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Today	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock

Zero-Day.cz: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

Reaction Time: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Exposure Time: 🔍

Upgrade: watchOS 7.3

Timelineinfo

12/08/2020 🔍
01/26/2021 +49 days 🔍
01/26/2021 +0 days 🔍
01/28/2021 +2 days 🔍
07/29/2025 +1643 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: apple.com

Advisory: HT212148
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2021-1782 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2021-1782
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-168801
EUVD: 🔍
scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161013

Entryinfo

Created: 01/28/2021 06:26
Updated: 07/29/2025 06:44
Changes: 01/28/2021 06:26 (18), 01/28/2021 06:30 (29), 02/20/2021 19:38 (1), 04/20/2024 12:32 (23), 06/30/2024 12:10 (2), 09/11/2024 11:01 (1), 02/03/2025 16:17 (29), 07/29/2025 06:44 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.