CVE-2021-30867

Photo metadata disclosure via insufficient authentication

Published Aug 24, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Improper authentication in Apple iCloud Photo Library before iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 allows attackers to read photo metadata. Apple identifies iCloud Photo Library as the locus and states that authentication was improved, but it does not disclose the affected request path or failed check. Execution of a malicious application on the device is required; the reported consequence is metadata disclosure, not access to photo contents.

CVSS severity5.5
Medium
EPSS probability0.73%
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 iCloud Photo Library before iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 allows attackers to read photo metadata. Apple identifies iCloud Photo Library as the locus and states that authentication was improved, but it does not disclose the affected request path or failed check. Execution of a malicious application on the device is required; the reported consequence is metadata disclosure, not access to photo contents.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-30867
Published
Aug 24, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Apple
Product
iOS and iPadOS
Classifications
CWE-287, T1005
Attack vector
local
Privileges
Unavailable

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 24, 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 <15

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesUnavailable in this record.

What is affected?

Apple · iOS and iPadOSversion=unspecified <15

Published CVSS scores

5.5NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
4.3NIST NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:N/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)
Vectorlocal
PrivilegesUnavailable
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-287Improper Authentication
T1005Data from Local System

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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