Apple watchOS up to 8.1.1 Preferences race condition

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.1$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Apple watchOS up to 8.1.1. It has been declared as problematic. This impacts an unknown function of the component Preferences. Such manipulation leads to race condition. This vulnerability is documented as CVE-2021-30995. The attack needs to be performed locally. There is not any exploit available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in Apple watchOS up to 8.1.1 (Smartwatch Operating System). Affected by this issue is some unknown processing of the component Preferences. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a race condition vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to 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. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

The weakness was released 12/13/2021 by Mickey Jin as HT212975 as confirmed advisory (Website). The advisory is shared for download at support.apple.com. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2021-30995. There are neither technical details nor an exploit publicly available. The advisory points out:

A malicious application may be able to elevate privileges

Upgrading to version 8.3 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 state handling.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2026-0631). Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Apple macOS

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.1

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

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

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

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

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

Upgrade: watchOS 8.3

Timelineinfo

04/13/2021 🔍
12/13/2021 +244 days 🔍
12/13/2021 +0 days 🔍
12/17/2021 +4 days 🔍
03/08/2026 +1542 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: apple.com

Advisory: HT212975
Researcher: Mickey Jin
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2021-30995 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2021-30995
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-188516
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2026-0631 - Apple macOS: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 12/17/2021 16:02
Updated: 03/08/2026 12:51
Changes: 12/17/2021 16:02 (19), 12/17/2021 16:06 (27), 12/23/2021 06:35 (1), 03/08/2026 12:51 (21)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Discussion

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