CVE-2021-30785

Arbitrary code execution via PICT heap overflow

Published Sep 8, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

A buffer overflow in Apple ImageIO before iOS 14.7 and macOS Big Sur 11.5 allows attackers to execute code via a crafted image. The PICT parser processes crafted data past a heap-buffer boundary because its bounds checks do not reject the oversized input. Exploitation requires an affected process, including one on unpatched Catalina, to parse the malicious PICT file; code runs with that process's privileges.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability1.84%
Next 30 days · Sep 17, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

A buffer overflow in Apple ImageIO before iOS 14.7 and macOS Big Sur 11.5 allows attackers to execute code via a crafted image. The PICT parser processes crafted data past a heap-buffer boundary because its bounds checks do not reject the oversized input. Exploitation requires an affected process, including one on unpatched Catalina, to parse the malicious PICT file; code runs with that process's privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-30785
Published
Sep 8, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Apple
Product
iOS
Classifications
CWE-120, T1203, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
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 <14.7

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · iOSversion=unspecified <14.7
Apple · Security Update Catalinaversion=unspecified <2021
Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <11.5; version=unspecified <14.7; version=unspecified <7.6

Published CVSS scores

6.8NIST NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

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

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-120Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow')
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution
T1204.002User Execution: Malicious File

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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