Type confusion in Apple iOS and iPadOS
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- Required
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Code execution
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 3 fixed, 2 without a fix
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CISA ADP. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-843 and the CVSS impact.
Summary
A type confusion issue was addressed with improved state handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Big Sur 11.2, Security Update 2021-001 Catalina, Security Update 2021-001 Mojave, tvOS 14.4, watchOS 7.3, iOS 14.4 and iPadOS 14.4, Safari 14.0.3. Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- Active
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | iOS and iPadOS | before 14.4 | 14.4 | Patch available | CNA |
| Apple | macOS | before 11.2 | 11.2 | Patch available | CNA |
| Apple | macOS | before 7.3 | 7.3 | Patch available | CNA |
| Apple | macOS | before 14.4 | 14.4 | Patch available | CNA |
| Apple | macOS | before 14.0 | 14.0 | Patch available | CNA |
- iOS and iPadOS VendorApple Affected before 14.4 Fixed in 14.4 Patch available CNA
- macOS VendorApple Affected before 11.2 Fixed in 11.2 Patch available CNA
- macOS VendorApple Affected before 7.3 Fixed in 7.3 Patch available CNA
- macOS VendorApple Affected before 14.4 Fixed in 14.4 Patch available CNA
- macOS VendorApple Affected before 14.0 Fixed in 14.0 Patch available CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 25
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:ipados:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 14.4 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 14.4 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.14 to before 10.14.6; 10.15 to before 10.15.7 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:-:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.14.6 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2019-004:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.14.6 security_update_2019-004 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2019-005:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.14.6 security_update_2019-005 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2019-006:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.14.6 security_update_2019-006 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2019-007:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.14.6 security_update_2019-007 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2020-001:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.14.6 security_update_2020-001 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2020-002:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.14.6 security_update_2020-002 | Vulnerable | Apple |
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:ipados:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 14.4 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 14.4 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.14 to before 10.14.6; 10.15 to before 10.15.7 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:-:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.14.6 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2019-004:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.14.6 security_update_2019-004 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2019-005:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.14.6 security_update_2019-005 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2019-006:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.14.6 security_update_2019-006 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2019-007:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.14.6 security_update_2019-007 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2020-001:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.14.6 security_update_2020-001 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2020-002:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.14.6 security_update_2020-002 Vulnerable ·Apple
Show 15 more CPE
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2020-003:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.14.6 security_update_2020-003 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2020-004:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.14.6 security_update_2020-004 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2020-005:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.14.6 security_update_2020-005 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2020-006:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.14.6 security_update_2020-006 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2020-007:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.14.6 security_update_2020-007 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:supplemental_update:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.14.6 supplemental_update | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:supplemental_update_2:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.14.6 supplemental_update_2 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.15.7:-:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.15.7 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.15.7:supplemental_update:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.15.7 supplemental_update | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 11.0 to before 11.2 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:tvos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 14.4 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:apple:watchos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 7.3 | Vulnerable | Apple |
| cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:32:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 32 | Vulnerable | Fedoraproject |
| cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:33:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 33 | Vulnerable | Fedoraproject |
| cpe:2.3:a:webkitgtk:webkitgtk:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 2.30.6 | Vulnerable | WebKitGTK |
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2020-003:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.14.6 security_update_2020-003 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2020-004:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.14.6 security_update_2020-004 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2020-005:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.14.6 security_update_2020-005 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2020-006:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.14.6 security_update_2020-006 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2020-007:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.14.6 security_update_2020-007 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:supplemental_update:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.14.6 supplemental_update Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:supplemental_update_2:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.14.6 supplemental_update_2 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.15.7:-:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.15.7 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.15.7:supplemental_update:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.15.7 supplemental_update Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 11.0 to before 11.2 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:tvos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 14.4 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:watchos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 7.3 Vulnerable ·Apple
- cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:32:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 32 Vulnerable ·Fedoraproject
- cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:33:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 33 Vulnerable ·Fedoraproject
- cpe:2.3:a:webkitgtk:webkitgtk:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 2.30.6 Vulnerable ·WebKitGTK
Remediation
- Fix · CNA iOS and iPadOS (Apple) Fixed in 14.4
- Fix · CNA macOS (Apple) Fixed in 11.2
- Fix · CNA macOS (Apple) Fixed in 7.3
- Fix · CNA macOS (Apple) Fixed in 14.4
- Fix · CNA macOS (Apple) Fixed in 14.0
Red Hat 2 advisories
- RHSA-2025:10364 Released 2025-07-07 · Red Hat rating Importantwebkitgtk4 security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7 ELS) webkitgtk4-2.48.3-2.el7_9, webkitgtk4-devel-2.48.3-2.el7_9, webkitgtk4-jsc-2.48.3-2.el7_9 +1
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 7 ELS) webkitgtk4-devel-2.48.3-2.el7_9, webkitgtk4-doc-2.48.3-2.el7_9, webkitgtk4-jsc-devel-2.48.3-2.el7_9
- RHSA-2021:4381 Released 2021-11-09 · Red Hat rating ModerateGNOME security, bug fix, and enhancement update
- Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 8) LibRaw-devel-0.19.5-3.el8
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 8) LibRaw-0.19.5-3.el8, gnome-autoar-0.2.3-2.el8, webkit2gtk3-2.32.3-2.el8 +3
Fixed in the same release
Records fixed by the same vendor advisory or release, as the CNA lists them.
- Release ·
Apple macOS 11.2
60 records Highest priority Priority CRITICAL 3 CRITICAL, 3 MEDIUM, 54 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2021-01572 Apple iOS and iPadOS: A remote attacker may be able to cause arbitrary code executionPriority CRITICAL 100
- TI-2021-01495 Apple iOS and iPadOS: A malicious application may be able to elevate privilegesPriority CRITICAL 90
- TI-2021-01529 Apple iOS and iPadOS: A remote attacker may be able to cause unexpected application…Priority MEDIUM 47
- Release ·
Apple iOS and iPadOS 14.4
49 records Highest priority Priority CRITICAL 3 CRITICAL, 1 HIGH, 6 MEDIUM, 39 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2021-01572 Apple iOS and iPadOS: A remote attacker may be able to cause arbitrary code executionPriority CRITICAL 100
- TI-2021-01495 Apple iOS and iPadOS: A malicious application may be able to elevate privilegesPriority CRITICAL 90
- TI-2021-01581 Cross-site scripting in Apple iOS and iPadOSPriority HIGH 84
Show 3 more groups
- Release ·
Apple macOS 14.4
35 records Highest priority Priority CRITICAL 2 CRITICAL, 2 MEDIUM, 31 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2021-01495 Apple iOS and iPadOS: A malicious application may be able to elevate privilegesPriority CRITICAL 90
- TI-2021-01529 Apple iOS and iPadOS: A remote attacker may be able to cause unexpected application…Priority MEDIUM 47
- TI-2021-01505 Out-of-bounds read in Apple iOS and iPadOSPriority MEDIUM 42
- Release ·
Apple macOS 7.3
34 records Highest priority Priority CRITICAL 2 CRITICAL, 2 MEDIUM, 30 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2021-01495 Apple iOS and iPadOS: A malicious application may be able to elevate privilegesPriority CRITICAL 90
- TI-2021-01529 Apple iOS and iPadOS: A remote attacker may be able to cause unexpected application…Priority MEDIUM 47
- TI-2021-01505 Out-of-bounds read in Apple iOS and iPadOSPriority MEDIUM 42
- Release ·
Apple macOS 14.0
2 records Highest priority Priority CRITICAL 1 CRITICAL, 1 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2021-01511 Apple iOS and iPadOS: A malicious website may be able to access restricted ports on…Priority LOW 32
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | Affected | No fix planned: Out of support scope |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | Affected | No fix planned: Out of support scope |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2021:4381 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7 ELS) | Fixed | RHSA-2025:10364 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 7 ELS) | Fixed | RHSA-2025:10364 |
Not affected: 4 products
- Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 8)
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 8)
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 8)
Timeline
- 2022-05-04 Added to CISA KEV
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2021-1789
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-c838-pj7m-89q4
References
More Apple Ipados vulnerabilities
- TI-2025-28008 Out-of-bounds write in Apple iOS and iPadOS KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 10.0
- TI-2025-22441 Apple iOS and iPadOS: An attacker with arbitrary read and write capability may be able to… KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2025-22440 Memory corruption in Apple iOS and iPadOS KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2025-17951 Out-of-bounds write in Apple Safari KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 10.0
- TI-2025-17847 Use after free in Apple iOS and iPadOS KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 10.0
- TI-2022-06854 Out-of-bounds write in Apple iOS and iPadOS KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
Sources
- CVE-2021-1789 · CVE Program
- CVE-2021-1789 · NVD
- CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-c838-pj7m-89q4 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2021-1789 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
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