CVE-2021-30949Public exploit

Kernel code execution via unchecked dead-port reference

Published Aug 24, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Memory corruption in the Apple XNU kernel on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS allows local users to execute code with kernel privileges. The ipc_right_copyin_two path fails to check an IP_DEAD return from ipc_port_copy_send, so it can use a Mach port right without acquiring the reference that keeps the object alive. Exploitation requires a malicious local application to manipulate Mach port state concurrently; success grants kernel execution, while an unsuccessful trigger can crash the operating system.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability2.08%
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 the Apple XNU kernel on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS allows local users to execute code with kernel privileges. The ipc_right_copyin_two path fails to check an IP_DEAD return from ipc_port_copy_send, so it can use a Mach port right without acquiring the reference that keeps the object alive. Exploitation requires a malicious local application to manipulate Mach port state concurrently; success grants kernel execution, while an unsuccessful trigger can crash the operating system.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-30949
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

  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 <15.2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · iOS and iPadOSversion=unspecified <15.2
Apple · macOSversion=unspecified <11.6; version=unspecified <12.1; version=unspecified <15.2; version=unspecified <2021
Apple · watchOSversion=unspecified <8.3

Published CVSS scores

7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
9.3NIST NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C

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
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-787Out-of-bounds Write
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Public exploit references

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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