Actively exploited vulnerability

Apple iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS: cross-site scripting flaw under attack

CVE-2021-1879 · Apple iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS WebKit Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) Vulnerability

Concerns everyone who uses it6.1 medium

What is affected

Apple iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS is found on ordinary personal computers and phones, so this is not only a problem for companies. If you use it and have not updated since the fix was released, you are exposed.

Apple iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS WebKit contain an unspecified vulnerability that allows for universal cross-site scripting (XSS) when processing maliciously crafted web content. This vulnerability could impact HTML parsers that use WebKit, including but not limited to Apple Safari and non-Apple products which rely on WebKit for HTML processing.

CISA's description

What an attacker can do

This is a cross-site scripting flaw. It lets an attacker plant a script that runs in the browser of anyone who opens the affected page, which lets them steal that person's session or act on their behalf.

How it is reached
Over the internet or network
Access the attacker needs
No account needed
Does the victim have to do something?
Yes, the victim must open or click something

What to do

  1. Update Apple iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS now. Open the update or "About" screen, install whatever is offered and restart the app or device, because the fix is not active until you do.
  2. Turn on automatic updates so the next fix arrives without you having to look for it.
  3. If your device is too old to receive this update, stop using the affected app for anything sensitive and plan a replacement.

Apply updates per vendor instructions.

Action required by CISA for US federal agencies

How urgent is it

CISA added this vulnerability to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on November 3, 2021, which means there is reliable evidence of attacks in the wild. US federal agencies must fix it by November 17, 2021, a deadline that has already passed. That deadline does not bind anyone else, but it shows how seriously the agency rates it.

The EPSS model estimates a 7.1% probability that this flaw will be exploited somewhere in the next 30 days. That is higher than 94% of all scored vulnerabilities.

Its CVSS severity score is 6.1 out of 10 (medium), as recorded in the US National Vulnerability Database.

Technical description

This issue was addressed by improved management of object lifetimes. This issue is fixed in iOS 12.5.2, iOS 14.4.2 and iPadOS 14.4.2, watchOS 7.3.3. Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to universal cross site scripting. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited..

NIST National Vulnerability Database
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