Skip to content
Vulnerability Intelligence

CVE-2021-1789

HighExploitedPublic exploit

A type confusion issue was addressed with improved state handling.

Published Apr 2, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2026 · Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2021-1789, UBUNTU-CVE-2021-1789

Key Facts

Patch immediately
  • CVE-2021-1789 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 8.8 v3.1) affecting Webkitgtk, Ipados (Apple), Iphone OS (Apple) and 22 more products.
  • It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Oct 11, 2021. Public exploit code is available.
  • EPSS estimates a 14% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
  • Fixed versions are available, including accountsservice 0.6.55-2.el8, accountsservice-devel 0.6.55-2.el8, accountsservice-libs 0.6.55-2.el8.
  • Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.

CVSS v3.1

8.8

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)

14%

Higher than 96.5% of all scored CVEs

Exploited in the wild

Yes

4 catalog listings

Public exploit code

Available

Proof-of-concept or weaponized module

Get the full CVE-2021-1789 brief as a PDF

Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.

Description

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.

Known-Exploited Catalog Listings

CatalogAddedRemediation dueRansomware use
CISA KEVMay 4, 2022May 25, 2022Not reported
Industry KEV feedOct 11, 2021May 25, 2022Not reported
CIRCL KEVMay 4, 2022May 25, 2022Not reported
ENISA EUVDMay 4, 2022n/aNot reported

Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

Affected Products

427 affected entries in total
ProductAffected versionsFixed in
WebkitgtkWebkitgtkSee advisory2.30.6
IpadosAppleSee advisory14.4
Iphone OSAppleSee advisory14.4
macOSApple>= unspecified11.2
Mac OS XApple10.14.6, 10.14.6-security_update_2019-004, 10.14.6-security_update_2019-005, 10.14.6-security_update_2019-006, 10.14.6-security_update_2019-007, 10.14.6-security_update_2020-001, 10.14.6-security_update_2020-002, 10.14.6-security_update_2020-00310.14.6
20 more affected products in the full CVE brief

Patched Releases

accountsservice

0.6.55-2.el8

accountsservice-devel

0.6.55-2.el8

accountsservice-libs

0.6.55-2.el8

Ipados

14.4

Iphone OS

14.4

Mac OS X

10.14.6

macOS

11.2, 14.0, 14.4, 7.3

Tvos

14.4

Watchos

7.3

gdm

1:40.0-15.el8

gnome-autoar

0.2.3-2.el8

gnome-calculator

3.28.2-2.el8

gnome-classic-session

3.32.1-20.el8

gnome-control-center

3.28.2-28.el8

gnome-control-center-filesystem

3.28.2-28.el8

gnome-online-accounts

3.28.2-3.el8

gnome-online-accounts-devel

3.28.2-3.el8

gnome-session

3.28.1-13.0.1.el8, 3.28.1-13.el8

gnome-session-kiosk-session

3.28.1-13.0.1.el8

gnome-session-wayland-session

3.28.1-13.0.1.el8

gnome-session-xsession

3.28.1-13.0.1.el8

gnome-settings-daemon

3.32.0-16.el8, 3.32.0-16.el8_6.1, 3.32.0-16.el8.alma

gnome-shell

3.32.2-40.el8

gnome-shell-extension-apps-menu

3.32.1-20.el8

gnome-shell-extension-auto-move-windows

3.32.1-20.el8

Timeline

  1. Publicly disclosed

    Apr 2, 2021

  2. Added to Industry KEV feed

    Oct 11, 2021

  3. Added to CISA KEV

    May 4, 2022

  4. Added to CIRCL KEV

    May 4, 2022

  5. Added to ENISA EUVD

    May 4, 2022

  6. Last updated

    Aug 4, 2026

Weakness Type

  • CWE-843 Access of Resource Using Incompatible Type ('Type Confusion')

References

15 more references in the full CVE brief

FAQ

Common Questions.

Is CVE-2021-1789 Running On Your Attack Surface?

Brandefense maps vulnerabilities like this one to your internet-facing assets and tells you exactly where to patch.

Request A Demo