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CVE-2021-30657 is a macOS Gatekeeper bypass vulnerability caused by a logic flaw in Apple’s user-mode system policy daemon, syspolicyd. Apple described the issue as a logic issue addressed through improved state management. On vulnerable versions of macOS, a malicious application can be crafted so that Gatekeeper does not properly enforce its normal verification and execution checks, allowing untrusted code to run without the expected security prompt or blocking behavior. Public analysis indicates the flaw could be abused using payloads such as shell or Python scripts disguised with an application-style extension and delivered in a disk image, leading the operating system to execute the payload without proper Gatekeeper intervention. Apple fixed the issue in macOS Big Sur 11.3 and Security Update 2021-002 for Catalina, and reported awareness of active exploitation in the wild.
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2 valid exploits after Mallory filtered fakes, detection scripts, and README-only repos.
This repository contains a single Metasploit module (osx_gatekeeper_bypass.rb) that exploits two macOS Gatekeeper bypass vulnerabilities: CVE-2021-30657 and CVE-2022-22616. The module sets up an HTTP server that delivers a specially crafted macOS app bundle inside a zip (or gzip-compressed zip) archive. When a user on a vulnerable macOS version visits the server (typically via Safari), the archive is automatically extracted and, due to the vulnerabilities, the app can be executed without triggering Gatekeeper's security checks. The exploit supports multiple payload types (native x64, Python, or command) and is configurable via Metasploit options. The main attack vector is browser-based social engineering, requiring the victim to visit a malicious URL. The module is operational and can be used to achieve code execution on vulnerable macOS systems.
This repository is a proof-of-concept (POC) exploit for CVE-2021-30657, a vulnerability in macOS's syspolicyd that allows attackers to bypass Gatekeeper and related security features. The exploit consists of two main scripts: 'payload.sh', which contains the shell script to be executed on the victim's machine, and 'setup.sh', which packages the payload into a macOS app bundle and creates a DMG disk image ('bait.dmg'). The attacker is expected to replace 'payload.sh' with any desired shell script. When the victim mounts the DMG and double-clicks the app, the payload executes without triggering Gatekeeper or notarization checks. The exploit targets macOS Big Sur versions prior to 11.3 and Catalina Security Update prior to 2021-002. The repository is structured simply, with clear separation between the payload and the packaging logic, and is intended for demonstration and testing of the vulnerability.
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4 sources tracked across advisories, community write-ups, and news. New activity surfaces here as Mallory finds it.
A macOS Gatekeeper bypass previously analyzed by the author, attributed to a flaw in the user-mode system policy daemon syspolicyd, allowing script-based applications to bypass Gatekeeper checks.
A macOS vulnerability referenced as enabling non-sandboxed remote access via installer packages or shell scripts masquerading as .app packages, relevant to post-compromise keychain theft workflows.
A previously patched macOS Gatekeeper bypass vulnerability mentioned as background; the content states it was abused by Shlayer malware.
A macOS Gatekeeper bypass vulnerability that allows renamed shell or Python scripts packaged in a DMG to execute on unpatched macOS systems without Gatekeeper intervention.
Query your assets running an affected version, and investigate the blast radius.
Every observed campaign linking this CVE to a named adversary.
Malware families riding this exploit, with evidence and IOCs.
YARA, Sigma, Snort, and vendor rules, auto-deployed to your SIEM.
Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.
Community discussion across Reddit, Mastodon, and other social sources.