CVE-2021-1791 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

An out-of-bounds read issue in Apple products allowed the disclosure of kernel memory through improved input validation. The vulnerability affected iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and was fixed in multiple updates.

Understanding CVE-2021-1791

This CVE ID refers to an out-of-bounds read issue in Apple products that led to the disclosure of kernel memory.

What is CVE-2021-1791?

CVE-2021-1791 is a vulnerability in Apple products that could be exploited by a malicious application to disclose kernel memory.

The Impact of CVE-2021-1791

The vulnerability could allow unauthorized access to sensitive kernel memory, potentially enabling attackers to gather confidential information or launch further attacks.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-1791

The vulnerability was addressed through improved input validation in the following Apple product versions:

Vulnerability Description

An out-of-bounds read issue existed in Apple products leading to kernel memory disclosure.

Affected Systems and Versions

iOS and iPadOS < 14.4
macOS < 11.2
macOS < 7.3
macOS < 14.4

Exploitation Mechanism

A malicious application could exploit the vulnerability to gain access to sensitive kernel memory.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-1791, follow these steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the necessary updates provided by Apple to the affected products.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update your Apple devices to the latest software versions to ensure protection against known vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Install macOS Big Sur 11.2, Security Update 2021-001 Catalina, Security Update 2021-001 Mojave, watchOS 7.3, tvOS 14.4, iOS 14.4, and iPadOS 14.4 to address the CVE-2021-1791 vulnerability.