CVE-2021-30917

Arbitrary code execution via malformed ICC profiles

Published Aug 24, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Memory corruption in Apple ColorSync on affected iOS, iPadOS, and macOS releases allows attackers to execute code by processing a crafted image. ColorSync accepts ICC profile data embedded in the image and processes it without sufficient input validation; Apple has not disclosed the exact malformed field or memory operation. Exploitation requires a user or application to process the image, and successful corruption permits code execution in the processing context.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability1.54%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Memory corruption in Apple ColorSync on affected iOS, iPadOS, and macOS releases allows attackers to execute code by processing a crafted image. ColorSync accepts ICC profile data embedded in the image and processes it without sufficient input validation; Apple has not disclosed the exact malformed field or memory operation. Exploitation requires a user or application to process the image, and successful corruption permits code execution in the processing context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-30917
Published
Aug 24, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Apple
Product
iOS and iPadOS
Classifications
CWE-20, T1204.002, T1203
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

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 <14.8
  2. Affected versionversion=unspecified <15.1

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · iOS and iPadOSversion=unspecified <14.8; version=unspecified <15.1
Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <11.6; version=unspecified <12.0; version=unspecified <15.1; version=unspecified <2021; version=unspecified <8.1

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-20Improper Input Validation
T1204.002Malicious File
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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