CVE-2021-1880

Arbitrary code execution via malicious image

Published Sep 8, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Arbitrary code execution in ImageIO in Apple macOS Big Sur before 11.3 and watchOS before 7.4 allows attackers to execute code via malicious images. Apple states that processing a maliciously crafted image reaches arbitrary code execution, while the specific ImageIO validation flaw is undisclosed. Exploitation requires image processing on the device, and the documented consequence is execution of attacker-controlled code in the processing context.

CVSS severityUnavailable
Unscored
EPSS probability0.97%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Arbitrary code execution in ImageIO in Apple macOS Big Sur before 11.3 and watchOS before 7.4 allows attackers to execute code via malicious images. Apple states that processing a maliciously crafted image reaches arbitrary code execution, while the specific ImageIO validation flaw is undisclosed. Exploitation requires image processing on the device, and the documented consequence is execution of attacker-controlled code in the processing context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-1880
Published
Sep 8, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Apple
Product
macOS
Classifications
T1203
Attack vector
Unavailable
Privileges
Unavailable

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 <11.3

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorUnavailable in this record.
Required privilegesUnavailable in this record.

What is affected?

Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <11.3
Apple · watchOSversion=unspecified <7.4

Published CVSS scores

No CVSS assessment is available in this record.

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)
VectorUnavailable
PrivilegesUnavailable
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

T1203Exploitation for Client Execution

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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