How severe is CVE-2021-30738?

CVE-2021-30738 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability none.

Is CVE-2021-30738 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (22nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-30738?

CVE-2021-30738 primarily affects Apple Mac Os X. In total, 21 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-30738?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2021-30738 published?

CVE-2021-30738 was published on 2021-09-08 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-30738

CVE-2021-30738 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Apple Mac Os X with a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 5.5)
CVSS v2: 2.1
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (22nd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Affected product: Apple Mac Os X
Published: 2021-09-08
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A malicious application may be able to overwrite arbitrary files. This issue is fixed in macOS Big Sur 11.4, Security Update 2021-004 Mojave. An issue with path validation logic for hardlinks was addressed with improved path sanitization.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-30738?: A malicious application may be able to overwrite arbitrary files. This issue is fixed in macOS Big Sur 11.4, Security Update 2021-004 Mojave. An issue with path validation logic for hardlinks was addressed with improved path sanitization.
How severe is CVE-2021-30738?: CVE-2021-30738 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability none.
Is CVE-2021-30738 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (22nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-30738?: CVE-2021-30738 primarily affects Apple Mac Os X. In total, 21 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-30738?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2021-30738 published?: CVE-2021-30738 was published on 2021-09-08 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (21)

cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2019-001:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2019-002:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2019-004:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2019-005:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2019-006:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2019-007:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2020-001:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2020-002:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2020-003:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2020-004:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2020-005:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2020-006:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2020-007:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2021-001:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2021-002:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:security_update_2021-003:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:supplemental_update:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:supplemental_update_2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Apple Mac Os X

CVE-2018-4310 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): An access issue was addressed with additional sandbox restrictions. This issue affected versions prior to iOS 12, macOS…
CVE-2019-6235 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved validation. This issue is fixed in iOS 12.1.3, macOS Mojave…
CVE-2018-4229 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. macOS before 10.13.5 is affected. The issue involves the "Grand…
CVE-2018-4091 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. macOS before 10.13.3 is affected. The issue involves the "Sandbox"…
CVE-2015-8659 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The idle stream handling in nghttp2 before 1.6.0 allows attackers to have unspecified impact via unknown vectors, aka a…
CVE-2015-7071 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The File Bookmark component in Apple OS X before 10.11.2 allows attackers to bypass a sandbox protection mechanism for…

All CVEs affecting Apple Mac Os X →