CVE-2021-1863

Unauthorized calls via unauthenticated NFC actions

Published Sep 8, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Improper authentication in Apple iOS and iPadOS before 14.5 allows physically proximate attackers to call any number through an NFC tag. The NFC-tag action path fails to authenticate the calling action before execution; Apple has not disclosed the responsible function or code path. Physical access and an NFC tag are required, and the reported consequence is an unauthorized outbound call to an attacker-chosen number.

CVSS severity2.4
Low
EPSS probability0.29%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper authentication in Apple iOS and iPadOS before 14.5 allows physically proximate attackers to call any number through an NFC tag. The NFC-tag action path fails to authenticate the calling action before execution; Apple has not disclosed the responsible function or code path. Physical access and an NFC tag are required, and the reported consequence is an unauthorized outbound call to an attacker-chosen number.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-1863
Published
Sep 8, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Apple
Product
iOS and iPadOS
Classifications
CWE-287
Attack vector
physical
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 8, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=unspecified <14.5

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorphysical
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · iOS and iPadOSversion=unspecified <14.5

Published CVSS scores

2.4NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N
2.1NIST NVDAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:N

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorphysical
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-287Improper Authentication

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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