CVE-2018-19937 is a vulnerability identified in versions of the VideoLAN VLC media player app for iOS prior to 3.1.5. This vulnerability allows a local, authenticated attacker to bypass the app's passcode protection mechanism. The exploit involves opening a specially crafted URL and physically turning the phone, which triggers a flaw in the app's authentication logic. This bypass effectively grants unauthorized access to the VLC app's content without requiring the legitimate passcode. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-287, which pertains to improper authentication. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.6, indicating a medium severity level, with the vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. This means the attack requires local access (AV:P), low attack complexity (AC:L), and low privileges (PR:L) but no user interaction (UI:N). The scope is unchanged (S:U), and the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H). There are no known exploits in the wild, and no official patch links are provided in the data, but the vulnerability was addressed in VLC iOS version 3.1.5. The attack vector requires physical access to the device and some user action (turning the phone), which limits remote exploitation but still poses a significant risk if an attacker gains temporary device access.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to employees or users who utilize VLC media player on iOS devices to handle sensitive or proprietary multimedia content. Unauthorized bypass of the app's passcode could lead to exposure of confidential video files, potentially leaking intellectual property or sensitive information. The high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability means that attackers could not only view but also manipulate or delete media content stored or accessed via VLC. Although exploitation requires local access and physical interaction, scenarios such as device theft, loss, or insider threats could leverage this vulnerability. This risk is particularly relevant for sectors handling sensitive multimedia data, including media companies, government agencies, and research institutions. The lack of user interaction requirement beyond the physical turning of the device means that once the attacker has access, the bypass can be executed stealthily and quickly.

European organizations should ensure that all iOS devices running VLC media player are updated to version 3.1.5 or later, where this vulnerability has been addressed. Device management policies should enforce timely updates of applications, especially those handling sensitive data. Additionally, organizations should implement strong device-level security controls such as full-disk encryption, biometric authentication, and remote wipe capabilities to mitigate risks from lost or stolen devices. Restricting physical access to devices and educating users about the risks of leaving devices unattended are critical. For environments with heightened security requirements, consider restricting or monitoring the use of third-party media applications like VLC on corporate devices. Network-level controls and mobile device management (MDM) solutions can be configured to detect and prevent installation of vulnerable app versions. Finally, organizations should audit and monitor access logs and unusual device behavior to detect potential exploitation attempts.