# CVE-2021-30858: Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS Use-After-Free Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2021-30858-apple-ios-ipados-macos-use-after-free-vulnerability  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2021-11-03. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2021-30858 · Severity: critical · CVSS 8.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2021-11-03

A use-after-free vulnerability in Apple WebKit allows for arbitrary code execution when processing maliciously crafted web content. The flaw stems from improper memory management and affects various Apple operating systems and browsers, as well as third-party applications utilizing WebKit for HTML parsing.

Technologies: [Apple iPadOS](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/ipados), [Apple macOS](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/macos). Vendors: [Apple](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/apple).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2021-30858 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2021-30858 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 3 November 2021. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2021-30858?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 8.8, published 3 November 2021.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Apple iOS Before 14.8; Apple iPadOS Before 14.8; Apple macOS Big Sur Before 11.6; Apple WebKit; and 1 more.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2021-30858?** A patch was published on 2021-09-13: Fixed in iOS 14.8, iPadOS 14.8, and macOS Big Sur 11.6 Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2021-30858 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2021-30858?** Check whether you run Apple iPadOS or Apple macOS. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Affected products

- Apple iOS Before 14.8
- Apple iPadOS Before 14.8
- Apple macOS Big Sur Before 11.6
- Apple WebKit
- Apple Safari

## Timeline

- 2021-09-13: patched: Fixed in iOS 14.8, iPadOS 14.8, and macOS Big Sur 11.6
- 2021-11-03: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
- 2021-11-03: disclosed: NVD publication date
- 2021-11-03: exploited: Apple and CISA confirmed reports of active exploitation in the wild.

## Related threats

- [Apple Bluetooth use-after-free vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-113970-a-use-after-free-issue-was-addressed-with-improved-memory)
- [Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and related platforms rate limit bypass in AirPlay pairing](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-113969-a-logic-issue-was-addressed-with-improved-state-management-this)
- [Apple iOS and iPadOS Bluetooth pairing code rate limit bypass](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-113968-a-logic-issue-was-addressed-with-improved-state-management-this)
- [Apple iOS/iPadOS Bluetooth pairing bypass](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-113965-this-issue-was-addressed-with-improved-checks-this-issue-is)
- [Apple iOS and iPadOS Bluetooth pairing rate limit bypass in CoreUtils](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-113964-a-logic-issue-was-addressed-with-improved-state-management-this)
