# CVE-2021-30657: Apple macOS Unspecified

> A logic flaw in macOS allows malicious applications to bypass Gatekeeper security checks, potentially enabling unauthorized code execution.

- **Severity:** Medium 5.5 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Yes, since 3 Nov 2021 (CISA KEV)
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 8 Sep 2021
- **Updated:** 21 Oct 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-4f6h-9vp6-5p6r

## What is CVE-2021-30657?

CVE-2021-30657 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Apple Mac Os X, published on 8 Sep 2021. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

A logic issue was addressed with improved state management. This issue is fixed in macOS Big Sur 11.3, Security Update 2021-002 Catalina. A malicious application may bypass Gatekeeper checks. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited..

Weakness: CWE-862 (Missing Authorization)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-30657?

It affects 2 products.


Products: Apple Mac Os X, Apple Macos.

## How do I fix CVE-2021-30657?

No fix has been published for CVE-2021-30657 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 17 Nov 2021.

## Is CVE-2021-30657 being exploited?

Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2021-30657 in the wild since at least 3 Nov 2021.

Public exploit code:

- A sample POC for CVE-2021-30657 affecting MacOS (github_poc): https://github.com/shubham0d/CVE-2021-30657
- macOS Gatekeeper check bypass (metasploit)

## Other vulnerabilities in Apple Mac Os X

- [CVE-2014-7169](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2014-7169/): GNU Bourne-Again Shell (Bash) Arbitrary Code Execution (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2014-6271](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2014-6271/): GNU Bourne-Again Shell (Bash) Arbitrary Code Execution (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2012-1823](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2012-1823/): PHP-CGI Query String Parameter (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2021-30713](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-30713/): Apple macOS Unspecified (high 7.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2019-8526](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-8526/): Apple macOS Use-After-Free (high 7.8, exploited in the wild)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2021-30657 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2021-30657 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Apple Mac Os X, published on 8 Sep 2021. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2021-30657 in the wild since at least 3 Nov 2021.

Affected product: Apple Mac Os X. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-30657/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-30657/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-30657
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-30657
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2021-30657

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-30657/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.