Apple iOS/iPadOS up to 15.3.1 libarchive memory corruption

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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6.2$5k-$25k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Apple iOS and iPadOS up to 15.3.1. It has been declared as critical. The affected element is an unknown function of the component libarchive. The manipulation results in memory corruption. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2021-36976. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. No exploit is available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Apple iOS and iPadOS up to 15.3.1 (Smartphone Operating System). Affected is some unknown processing of the component libarchive. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-119. The product performs operations on a memory buffer, but it can read from or write to a memory location that is outside of the intended boundary of the buffer. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

The weakness was published 03/14/2022 as HT213182 as confirmed advisory (Website). The advisory is available at support.apple.com. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2021-36976. Successful exploitation requires user interaction by the victim. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not available. The structure of the vulnerability defines a possible price range of USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 11/04/2025). It is expected to see the exploit prices for this product increasing in the near future. The advisory points out:

Multiple issues in libarchive

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 210823 (Debian dla-3950 : libarchive-dev - security update), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 15.4 eliminates this vulnerability. A possible mitigation has been published immediately after the disclosure of the vulnerability. The advisory contains the following remark:

Multiple memory corruption issues existed in libarchive. These issues were addressed with improved input validation.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (210823). If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.4
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.2

VulDB Base Score: 6.3
VulDB Temp Score: 6.0
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 6.5
NVD Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Memory corruption
CWE: CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 210823
Nessus Name: Debian dla-3950 : libarchive-dev - security update

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

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

Upgrade: iOS/iPadOS 15.4

Timelineinfo

07/20/2021 🔍
03/14/2022 +237 days 🔍
03/14/2022 +0 days 🔍
03/15/2022 +1 days 🔍
11/04/2025 +1330 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: apple.com

Advisory: HT213182
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2021-36976 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2021-36976
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-194970
scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20150917

Entryinfo

Created: 03/15/2022 09:07
Updated: 11/04/2025 06:42
Changes: 03/15/2022 09:07 (18), 03/15/2022 09:10 (28), 03/17/2022 08:45 (2), 03/17/2022 08:47 (18), 11/13/2024 04:21 (16), 05/01/2025 16:16 (3), 11/04/2025 06:42 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

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