HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2021-40531
CRITICAL

CVE-2021-40531

CWE-434Published: September 6, 2021· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

9.8
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

Sketch before 75 allows library feeds to be used to bypass file quarantine. Files are automatically downloaded and opened, without the com.apple.quarantine extended attribute. This results in remote code execution, as demonstrated by CommandString in a terminal profile to Terminal.app.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2021-40531 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.

The vulnerability requires no privileges and no user interaction, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns and worm-like propagation.

A successful exploit results in complete confidentiality breach (data exposure), full integrity compromise (data manipulation), availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 9.8.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability
Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.None
User InteractionNone
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected Vendors & Products

Apple1 product(s)
macos
sketch1 product(s)
sketch
Source: NVD CPE · 2 total CPE entries

Exploit & PoC Resources

NO KNOWN EXPLOITNo public exploit confirmed at this time
Exploit-DB
Offensive Security exploit database
GitHub PoC Search
Community PoC repositories
Rapid7 / Metasploit
Metasploit module search
PacketStorm
Security advisories & exploits
NVD Detail
Official NIST entry
MITRE CVE
CVE Program entry
External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.

Official Patches & Advisories

PATCHhttps://www.sketch.com/updates/#version-75
PATCHhttps://www.sketch.com/updates/#version-75
ADVISORYhttps://jonpalmisc.com/2021/11/22/cve-2021-40531
ADVISORYhttps://jonpalmisc.com/2021/11/22/cve-2021-40531

All References (4)

→
https://jonpalmisc.com/2021/11/22/cve-2021-40531Exploit · Third Party Advisory
→
https://www.sketch.com/updates/#version-75Patch · Release Notes · Vendor Advisory
→
https://jonpalmisc.com/2021/11/22/cve-2021-40531Exploit · Third Party Advisory
→
https://www.sketch.com/updates/#version-75Patch · Release Notes · Vendor Advisory

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2021-40531
CVSS Score9.8 / 10
SeverityCRITICAL
WeaknessCWE-434
CISA KEVNo
Affected2 vendor(s)
PublishedSep 6, 2021

Related CVEs (CWE-434)

CVE-2024-50473
10.0
CVE-2024-51791
10.0
CVE-2024-49216
10.0
CVE-2024-50482
10.0
CVE-2024-50420
10.0
CVE-2024-51789
10.0

Recommended Actions

  • →Apply vendor patches immediately
  • →Monitor CVE-2021-40531 in threat intel feeds
  • →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWatch. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.
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