Kernel code execution via multicast membership race
Published Aug 24, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024
Kernel memory corruption in Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS allows local users to execute code with kernel privileges. In XNU's IPv4 and IPv6 multicast membership paths, inp_join_group releases locks while retaining an imo_mfilters pointer that a racing membership update can reallocate, then writes through the dangling pointer. A malicious local application must win the race; successful exploitation corrupts kernel heap memory and elevates its code to kernel privilege.
Summary
What happened
Kernel memory corruption in Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS allows local users to execute code with kernel privileges. In XNU's IPv4 and IPv6 multicast membership paths, inp_join_group releases locks while retaining an imo_mfilters pointer that a racing membership update can reallocate, then writes through the dangling pointer. A malicious local application must win the race; successful exploitation corrupts kernel heap memory and elevates its code to kernel privilege.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2021-30937
- Published
- Aug 24, 2021
- Updated
- Aug 3, 2024
- Vendor
- Apple
- Product
- iOS and iPadOS
- Classifications
- CWE-787, T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 24, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- 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.
- Affected versionversion=unspecified <15.2
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
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.
Public exploit references
- Project Zero XNU multicast membership race reproducerproof of concept · demonstrated
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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