CVE-2021-30874

Unauthorized VPN configuration installation via mishandled authorization state

Published Aug 24, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Missing authorization in NetworkExtension in Apple iOS and iPadOS before 15 allows attackers to install VPN configurations. NetworkExtension mishandles authorization state when an application requests VPN configuration installation, accepting the request without obtaining the device user's permission. Exploitation requires an application to run on the device; the bounded result is an unauthorized VPN configuration rather than reported code execution or data access.

CVSS severity7.5
High
EPSS probability0.93%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Missing authorization in NetworkExtension in Apple iOS and iPadOS before 15 allows attackers to install VPN configurations. NetworkExtension mishandles authorization state when an application requests VPN configuration installation, accepting the request without obtaining the device user's permission. Exploitation requires an application to run on the device; the bounded result is an unauthorized VPN configuration rather than reported code execution or data access.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-30874
Published
Aug 24, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Apple
Product
iOS and iPadOS
Classifications
CWE-862
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

5.0NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:N
7.5NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/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-862Missing Authorization

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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