About the security content of watchOS 8.1

This document describes the security content of watchOS 8.1.

About Apple security updates

For our customers' protection, Apple doesn't disclose, discuss, or confirm security issues until an investigation has occurred and patches or releases are available. Recent releases are listed on the Apple security updates page.

Apple security documents reference vulnerabilities by CVE-ID when possible.

For more information about security, see the Apple Product Security page.

watchOS 8.1

Released October 25, 2021

Audio

Available for: Apple Watch Series 3 and later

Impact: A malicious application may be able to elevate privileges

Description: An integer overflow was addressed through improved input validation.

CVE-2021-30907: Zweig of Kunlun Lab

ColorSync

Available for: Apple Watch Series 3 and later

Impact: Processing a maliciously crafted image may lead to arbitrary code execution

Description: A memory corruption issue existed in the processing of ICC profiles. This issue was addressed with improved input validation.

CVE-2021-30917: Alexandru-Vlad Niculae and Mateusz Jurczyk of Google Project Zero

Continuity Camera

Available for: Apple Watch Series 3 and later

Impact: A local attacker may be able to cause unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution

Description: An uncontrolled format string issue was addressed with improved input validation.

CVE-2021-30903: Gongyu Ma of Hangzhou Dianzi University

Entry added May 25, 2022

CoreAudio

Available for: Apple Watch Series 3 and later

Impact: Processing a maliciously crafted file may disclose user information

Description: An out-of-bounds read was addressed with improved bounds checking.

CVE-2021-30905: Mickey Jin (@patch1t) of Trend Micro

CoreGraphics

Available for: Apple Watch Series 3 and later

Impact: Processing a maliciously crafted PDF may lead to arbitrary code execution

Description: An out-of-bounds write was addressed with improved input validation.

CVE-2021-30919

FileProvider

Available for: Apple Watch Series 3 and later

Impact: A malicious application may be able to bypass Privacy preferences

Description: A permissions issue was addressed with improved validation.

CVE-2021-31007: Csaba Fitzl (@theevilbit) of Offensive Security

Entry added March 31, 2022, updated May 25, 2022

FileProvider

Available for: Apple Watch Series 3 and later

Impact: Unpacking a maliciously crafted archive may lead to arbitrary code execution

Description: An input validation issue was addressed with improved memory handling.

CVE-2021-30881: Simon Huang (@HuangShaomang) and pjf of IceSword Lab of Qihoo 360

Game Center

Available for: Apple Watch Series 3 and later

Impact: A malicious application may be able to access information about a user's contacts

Description: A logic issue was addressed with improved restrictions.

CVE-2021-30895: Denis Tokarev (@illusionofcha0s)

Entry updated May 25, 2022

Game Center

Available for: Apple Watch Series 3 and later

Impact: A malicious application may be able to read user's gameplay data

Description: A logic issue was addressed with improved restrictions.

CVE-2021-30896: Denis Tokarev (@illusionofcha0s)

Entry updated May 25, 2022

iCloud

Available for: Apple Watch Series 3 and later

Impact: A local attacker may be able to elevate their privileges

Description: This issue was addressed with improved checks.

CVE-2021-30906: Cees Elzinga

IOMobileFrameBuffer

Available for: Apple Watch Series 3 and later

Impact: An application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited.

Description: A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved memory handling.

CVE-2021-30883: an anonymous researcher

Kernel

Available for: Apple Watch Series 3 and later

Impact: A remote attacker can cause a device to unexpectedly restart

Description: A denial of service issue was addressed with improved state handling.

CVE-2021-30924: Elaman Iskakov (@darling_x0r) of Effective and Alexey Katkov (@watman27)

Entry added January 19, 2022

Kernel

Available for: Apple Watch Series 3 and later

Impact: An application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges

Description: A use after free issue was addressed with improved memory management.

CVE-2021-30886: @0xalsr

Kernel

Available for: Apple Watch Series 3 and later

Impact: An application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges

Description: A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved memory handling.

CVE-2021-30909: Zweig of Kunlun Lab

UIKit

Available for: Apple Watch Series 3 and later

Impact: A person with physical access to a device may be able to determine characteristics of a user's password in a secure text entry field

Description: A logic issue was addressed with improved state management.

CVE-2021-30915: Kostas Angelopoulos

WebKit

Available for: Apple Watch Series 3 and later

Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to code execution

Description: A type confusion issue was addressed with improved memory handling.

CVE-2021-31008: an anonymous researcher

Entry added March 31, 2022, updated May 25, 2022

WebKit

Available for: Apple Watch Series 3 and later

Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to unexpectedly unenforced Content Security Policy

Description: A logic issue was addressed with improved restrictions.

CVE-2021-30887: Narendra Bhati (@imnarendrabhati) of Suma Soft Pvt. Ltd.

WebKit

Available for: Apple Watch Series 3 and later

Impact: A malicious website using Content Security Policy reports may be able to leak information via redirect behavior

Description: An information leakage issue was addressed.

CVE-2021-30888: Prakash (@1lastBr3ath)

WebKit

Available for: Apple Watch Series 3 and later

Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution

Description: A buffer overflow issue was addressed with improved memory handling.

CVE-2021-30889: Chijin Zhou of ShuiMuYuLin Ltd and Tsinghua wingtecher lab

WebKit

Available for: Apple Watch Series 3 and later

Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to universal cross site scripting

Description: A logic issue was addressed with improved state management.

CVE-2021-30890: an anonymous researcher

Additional recognition

iCloud

We would like to acknowledge Ryan Pickren (ryanpickren.com) for their assistance.

Mail

We would like to acknowledge Fabian Ising and Damian Poddebniak of Münster University of Applied Sciences for their assistance.

WebKit

We would like to acknowledge Ivan Fratric of Google Project Zero, Pavel Gromadchuk, and an anonymous researcher for their assistance.

Information about products not manufactured by Apple, or independent websites not controlled or tested by Apple, is provided without recommendation or endorsement. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance, or use of third-party websites or products. Apple makes no representations regarding third-party website accuracy or reliability. Contact the vendor for additional information.

Published Date: