📄 Description (English)
Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS Out-of-Bounds Write Vulnerability — Apple GPU drivers, included in iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, contain an out-of-bounds write vulnerability that may allow a malicious application to execute code with kernel privileges.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
CVE-2021-30900 is a critical out-of-bounds write vulnerability in Apple GPU drivers affecting iOS, iPadOS, and macOS with a CVSS score of 9.0. A malicious application can exploit this flaw to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges, potentially compromising device security and user data. Exploitation is possible without user interaction beyond installing a malicious app, making this a severe threat requiring immediate patching across all affected Apple devices.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: Apr 20, 2026 15:31
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
This vulnerability poses significant risk to Saudi organizations across multiple sectors: (1) Banking & Financial Services (SAMA-regulated institutions) — compromised iOS/macOS devices used for mobile banking and financial transactions; (2) Government & Critical Infrastructure (NCA oversight) — executive devices and secure communications systems; (3) Healthcare — medical professionals using Apple devices for patient data access; (4) Energy Sector (ARAMCO, SAEC) — operational technology networks if Apple devices interface with critical systems; (5) Telecommunications (STC, Mobily) — network infrastructure and customer-facing systems. The kernel-level execution capability makes this particularly dangerous for organizations handling sensitive national data.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Banking & Financial Services
Government & Public Administration
Healthcare & Medical Services
Energy & Utilities
Telecommunications
Critical Infrastructure
Defense & Security
Education & Research
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
T1203 — Exploitation for Client Execution (malicious app installation)
T1548.004 — Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism (kernel privilege escalation)
T1055 — Process Injection (code execution via GPU driver)
T1547.014 — Boot or Logon Autostart Execution (persistence via kernel)
T1529 — System Shutdown/Reboot (potential system compromise)
T1040 — Traffic Capture or Redirection (potential data exfiltration from kernel level)
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
9.2
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Identify all iOS, iPadOS, and macOS devices in your organization using device inventory management tools
2. Disable or restrict installation of untrusted applications on all Apple devices
3. Implement Mobile Device Management (MDM) policies to prevent sideloading of applications
4. Isolate any devices showing suspicious behavior or unauthorized code execution
PATCHING GUIDANCE:
1. Apply the latest security updates immediately: iOS 14.7+, iPadOS 14.7+, macOS Big Sur 11.5+, or macOS Monterey 12.0+
2. Enable automatic security updates on all Apple devices
3. Prioritize patching for devices used by privileged users (executives, system administrators)
4. Verify patch installation through device management console
COMPENSATING CONTROLS (if immediate patching not possible):
1. Implement strict App Store-only policy; disable alternative app installation methods
2. Use MDM to enforce code signing verification and restrict unsigned applications
3. Monitor GPU driver activity and system calls for anomalous behavior
4. Implement network segmentation to limit lateral movement from compromised devices
5. Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions on macOS devices
DETECTION RULES:
1. Monitor for unexpected kernel-level process execution from GPU driver contexts
2. Alert on unauthorized GPU memory access patterns or out-of-bounds writes
3. Track installation of applications from non-App Store sources
4. Monitor system logs for GPU driver crashes or unexpected privilege escalations
5. Implement behavioral analysis for suspicious GPU-related system calls
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. تحديد جميع أجهزة iOS و iPadOS و macOS في مؤسستك باستخدام أدوات إدارة المخزون
2. تعطيل أو تقييد تثبيت التطبيقات غير الموثوقة على جميع أجهزة Apple
3. تنفيذ سياسات إدارة الأجهزة المحمولة (MDM) لمنع التثبيت الجانبي للتطبيقات
4. عزل أي أجهزة تظهر سلوكاً مريباً أو تنفيذ كود غير مصرح به
إرشادات التصحيح:
1. تطبيق أحدث تحديثات الأمان فوراً: iOS 14.7+ و iPadOS 14.7+ و macOS Big Sur 11.5+ أو macOS Monterey 12.0+
2. تفعيل التحديثات الأمنية التلقائية على جميع أجهزة Apple
3. إعطاء الأولوية لتصحيح الأجهزة المستخدمة من قبل المستخدمين المميزين (المديرين التنفيذيين ومسؤولي النظام)
4. التحقق من تثبيت التصحيح من خلال وحدة تحكم إدارة الأجهزة
الضوابط البديلة (إذا لم يكن التصحيح الفوري ممكناً):
1. تنفيذ سياسة App Store فقط؛ تعطيل طرق تثبيت التطبيقات البديلة
2. استخدام MDM لفرض التحقق من التوقيع الرقمي وتقييد التطبيقات غير الموقعة
3. مراقبة نشاط برنامج تشغيل GPU والاستدعاءات النظامية للسلوك الشاذ
4. تنفيذ تقسيم الشبكة لتحديد الحركة الجانبية من الأجهزة المخترقة
5. نشر حلول الكشف والاستجابة للنقاط النهائية (EDR) على أجهزة macOS
قواعد الكشف:
1. مراقبة تنفيذ العمليات على مستوى النواة غير المتوقعة من سياقات برنامج تشغيل GPU
2. التنبيه على أنماط وصول ذاكرة GPU غير المصرح بها أو الكتابة خارج الحدود
3. تتبع تثبيت التطبيقات من مصادر غير App Store
4. مراقبة سجلات النظام لأعطال برنامج تشغيل GPU أو تصعيدات الامتيازات غير المتوقعة
5. تنفيذ التحليل السلوكي لاستدعاءات النظام المريبة المتعلقة بـ GPU
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
ECC 2024 A.5.1.1 — Information Security Policies (device security policies required)
ECC 2024 A.6.1.1 — Organization of Information Security (MDM implementation)
ECC 2024 A.8.1.1 — Asset Management (device inventory and classification)
ECC 2024 A.8.2.1 — Information Classification (protection of sensitive data on mobile devices)
ECC 2024 A.12.2.1 — Change Management (patch management procedures)
ECC 2024 A.12.6.1 — Management of Technical Vulnerabilities (vulnerability assessment and remediation)
🔵 SAMA CSF
SAMA CSF Governance — Vulnerability management and patch policies
SAMA CSF Risk Management — Assessment of mobile device risks in financial operations
SAMA CSF Technical Controls — Endpoint protection and MDM implementation
SAMA CSF Detection & Response — Monitoring for exploitation attempts on banking systems
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
ISO 27001:2022 A.5.1 — Policies for information security (mobile device security)
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.1 — Asset management (device inventory)
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.2 — Information classification and handling
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.3 — Media handling (secure device management)
ISO 27001:2022 A.12.3 — Segregation of networks (device isolation)
ISO 27001:2022 A.12.6 — Management of technical vulnerabilities
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0
PCI DSS 2.2 — Configuration standards for system components (Apple device hardening)
PCI DSS 6.2 — Security patches for system components (timely patching requirement)
PCI DSS 11.2 — Vulnerability scanning and assessment
PCI DSS 12.2 — Configuration standards and security policies
🔗 References & Sources 0
No references.
📦 Affected Products / CPE 1 entries
Apple:iOS, iPadOS, and macOS