CVE-2021-31010
HighExploitedPublic exploitA deserialization issue was addressed through improved validation.
Published Aug 24, 2021 · Updated Oct 23, 2025
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2021-31010 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 7.5 v3.1) affecting Ipados (Apple), Iphone OS (Apple), macOS (Apple) and 2 more products.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Sep 13, 2021. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 3.7% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Ipados 14.8, Iphone OS 12.5.5, Mac OS X 10.15.7.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
CVSS v3.1
7.5
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
3.7%
Higher than 89.5% 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-2021-31010 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
Description
A deserialization issue was addressed through improved validation. This issue is fixed in Security Update 2021-005 Catalina, iOS 12.5.5, iOS 14.8 and iPadOS 14.8, macOS Big Sur 11.6, watchOS 7.6.2. A sandboxed process may be able to circumvent sandbox restrictions. Apple was aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited at the time of release..
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA KEV | Aug 25, 2022 | Sep 15, 2022 | Not reported |
| Industry KEV feed | Sep 13, 2021 | Sep 15, 2022 | Not reported |
| CIRCL KEV | Aug 25, 2022 | Sep 15, 2022 | Not reported |
| ENISA EUVD | Aug 25, 2022 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Affected Products
23 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| IpadosApple | See advisory | 14.8 |
| Iphone OSApple | See advisory | 12.5.5 |
| macOSApple | >= unspecified | 11.6 |
| Mac OS XApple | 10.15.7, 10.15.7-security_update_2020, 10.15.7-security_update_2020-001, 10.15.7-security_update_2020-005, 10.15.7-security_update_2020-007, 10.15.7-security_update_2021-001, 10.15.7-security_update_2021-002, 10.15.7-security_update_2021-003 | 10.15.7 |
| watchOSApple | >= unspecified | 7.6.2 |
Patched Releases
Ipados
14.8
Iphone OS
12.5.5
Mac OS X
10.15.7
macOS
11.6, 2021
watchOS
7.6.2, 12.5, 14.8, 7.6
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Aug 24, 2021
Added to Industry KEV feed
Sep 13, 2021
Added to CISA KEV
Aug 25, 2022
Added to CIRCL KEV
Aug 25, 2022
Added to ENISA EUVD
Aug 25, 2022
Last updated
Oct 23, 2025
Weakness Type
- CWE-502 Deserialization of Untrusted Data
References
- advisoryhttps://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212804
- advisoryhttps://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212805
- advisoryhttps://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212806
- advisoryhttps://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212807
- advisoryhttps://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212824
FAQ
Common Questions.
A deserialization issue was addressed through improved validation.
Affected: Ipados (Apple); Iphone OS (Apple); macOS (Apple) versions >= unspecified, among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Sep 13, 2021.
Yes. It was added on Aug 25, 2022 with a federal remediation due date of Sep 15, 2022.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including Ipados 14.8, Iphone OS 12.5.5, Mac OS X 10.15.7.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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