UNIX symbolic link following in macOS - CVE-2021-30681
Published: May 24, 2021
Vulnerability identifier: #VU53449
CSH Severity: Low
CVSS v4: 8.5 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N]
CVE-ID: CVE-2021-30681
CWE-ID: CWE-61
Exploitation vector: Local access
Exploit availability:
No public exploit available
Vulnerability details
The vulnerability allows a local user to escalate privileges on the system.
The vulnerability exists due to a symlink following issue within the Core Services subsystem. A local user can create a specially crafted symbolic link to a critical file on the system and overwrite it with privileges of the application.
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may result in privilege escalation.
Affected software
macOS
watchOS
iPadOS
Apple iOS
watchOS
iPadOS
Apple iOS
How to mitigate CVE-2021-30681
Install updates from vendor's website.
macOS - addressed in versions 11.4 20F71, 10.14.6 18G9216, 10.15.7 19H1217
watchOS - update to 7.5 18T567
iPadOS - update to 14.6 18F72
Apple iOS - update to 14.6 18F72
watchOS - update to 7.5 18T567
iPadOS - update to 14.6 18F72
Apple iOS - update to 14.6 18F72