Apple Multiple Products Type Confusion
CVE-2021-1789 is a high-severity access of resource using incompatible type vulnerability in iOS and iPadOS from Apple, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. The record lists version 14.4 as the first without the flaw, so updating iOS and iPadOS to that release or later removes the exposure. CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on May 4, 2022, which means attacks have been observed in the wild.
Attackers are already exploiting this vulnerability, according to CISA.
What to do
- Update iOS and iPadOS to 14.4 or a later version.
- Update macOS to 11.2 or 7.3 or 14.4 or 14.0, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update iPadOS to 14.4 or a later version.
- CISA's required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
- Read the advisory on support.apple.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
- Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | iOS and iPadOS | before 14.4 | 14.4 |
| Apple | macOS | before 11.2; before 7.3; before 14.4; before 14.0 | 11.2, 7.3, 14.4, 14.0 |
| Apple | iPadOS | before 14.4 | 14.4 |
| Apple | Iphone OS | before 14.4 | 14.4 |
| Apple | Mac OS X | 10.14 up to, but not including, 10.14.6; 10.15 up to, but not including, 10.15.7; 10.14.6; 10.15.7 | 10.14.6, 10.15.7 |
| Apple | tvOS | before 14.4 | 14.4 |
| Apple | watchOS | before 7.3 | 7.3 |
| Fedora Project | Fedora | 32; 33 | Not stated |
| Webkitgtk | Webkitgtk | before 2.30.6 | 2.30.6 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 | High | CISA (ADP) |
| CVSS 2.0 | 6.8 | Medium | NVD |
Official description
A type confusion issue was addressed with improved state handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Big Sur 11.2, Security Update 2021-001 Catalina, Security Update 2021-001 Mojave, tvOS 14.4, watchOS 7.3, iOS 14.4 and iPadOS 14.4, Safari 14.0.3. Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Access of Resource Using Incompatible Type
The product allocates or initializes a resource such as a pointer, object, or variable using one type, but it later accesses that resource using a type that is incompatible with the original type.
More Access of Resource Using Incompatible Type vulnerabilities (CWE-843)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue.
- Deadline for US federal agencies to remediate, set by CISA.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: active, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
- support.apple.com/en-us/HT212146Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/HT212147Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/HT212148Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/HT212149Release Notes
- support.apple.com/en-us/HT212152Release Notes
Third-party and government advisories
- security.gentoo.org/glsa/202104-03Third Party Advisory
- cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-1789US Government Resource
Other vulnerabilities in iOS and iPadOS
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Access of Resource Using Incompatible Type vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
Apple Multiple Products Type Confusion Exploited
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
Google Chromium V8 Type Confusion Exploited
- 8.8 High severity
Apple Multiple Products Type Confusion Exploited
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
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