# CVE-2021-31010: Apple iOS, macOS, watchOS Sandbox Bypass Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2021-31010-apple-ios-macos-watchos-sandbox-bypass-vulnerability  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2022-08-25. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2021-31010 · Severity: critical · CVSS 7.5 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2022-08-25

A deserialization vulnerability in Apple operating systems allows a sandboxed process to circumvent sandbox restrictions. The issue was addressed through improved validation of untrusted data.

Technologies: [Apple macOS](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/macos), [Apple watchOS](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/watchos), [Cisco IOS](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/ios). Vendors: [Apple](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/apple), [Cisco](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/cisco).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2021-31010 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2021-31010 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 25 August 2022. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2021-31010?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 7.5, published 25 August 2022.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Apple iOS < 12.5.5, < 14.8; Apple iPadOS < 14.8; Apple macOS Big Sur < 11.6; Apple macOS Catalina Security Update 2021-005; and 1 more.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2021-31010?** A patch was published on 2021-09-23: Fixed in iOS 12.5.5, iOS 14.8, macOS 11.6, and watchOS 7.6.2 Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2021-31010 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2021-31010?** Check whether you run Apple macOS, Apple watchOS or Cisco IOS. 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, < 14.8
- Apple iPadOS < 14.8
- Apple macOS Big Sur < 11.6
- Apple macOS Catalina Security Update 2021-005
- Apple watchOS < 7.6.2

## Timeline

- 2022-08-25: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
- 2022-08-25: disclosed
- 2021-09-23: patched: Fixed in iOS 12.5.5, iOS 14.8, macOS 11.6, and watchOS 7.6.2
- exploited: Apple reported awareness of active exploitation at the time of release.

## 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)