# CVE-2021-30869: Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS Type Confusion Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2021-30869-apple-ios-ipados-and-macos-type-confusion-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-2021-30869 · Severity: critical · CVSS 7.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2021-11-03

A type confusion vulnerability in the XNU kernel of Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS allows a malicious application to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. The issue stems from improper state handling and has been observed being exploited in the wild.

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-2021-30869 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2021-30869 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 3 November 2021. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2021-30869?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 3 November 2021.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Apple iOS < 12.5.5, 14.0 to < 14.4; Apple iPadOS < 14.4; Apple macOS Big Sur < 11.2; Apple macOS Catalina 10.15.7 (prior to Security Update 2021-006); and 1 more.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2021-30869?** A patch was published on 2021-09-23: Apple released updates for iOS 12.5.5 and macOS Catalina. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2021-30869 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2021-30869?** 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 < 12.5.5, 14.0 to < 14.4
- Apple iPadOS < 14.4
- Apple macOS Big Sur < 11.2
- Apple macOS Catalina 10.15.7 (prior to Security Update 2021-006)
- Apple macOS Mojave 10.14.6 (prior to Security Update 2021-001)

## Timeline

- 2021-09-23: patched: Apple released updates for iOS 12.5.5 and macOS Catalina.
- 2021-11-03: disclosed: Vulnerability published and added to CISA KEV.
- 2021-11-03: kev added
- 2021-11-03: exploited: Apple reported awareness of active exploitation in the wild.

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