CVE-2023-38612 is a vulnerability identified in Apple’s iOS and iPadOS operating systems that could allow a malicious application to access protected user data improperly. The root cause was insufficient enforcement of security checks that guard access to sensitive data, which Apple has remediated by enhancing these checks in recent OS updates. The vulnerability affects multiple Apple platforms, including iOS versions prior to 16.7 and 17, iPadOS versions prior to 16.7 and 17, and macOS versions prior to Monterey 12.7, Ventura 13.6, and Sonoma 14. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 3.3, reflecting a low severity primarily due to the requirement for local access, user interaction, and the lack of privilege escalation. The attack vector is local (AV:L), attack complexity is low (AC:L), no privileges are required (PR:N), but user interaction is necessary (UI:R). The scope remains unchanged (S:U), and the impact is limited to confidentiality (C:L), with no impact on integrity or availability. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, indicating limited active exploitation. The vulnerability could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user information if exploited, posing privacy risks. Apple has released patches in the specified OS versions to address this issue, and users are strongly advised to update promptly.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2023-38612 lies in the potential unauthorized disclosure of protected user data on Apple devices. This could include sensitive personal or corporate information stored or accessible on iPhones, iPads, or Macs. While the vulnerability does not affect data integrity or system availability, the confidentiality breach could lead to privacy violations, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR), and reputational damage. Organizations with employees using Apple devices for work, especially in sectors handling sensitive data such as finance, healthcare, and government, may face increased risk. The requirement for local access and user interaction reduces the likelihood of remote exploitation but does not eliminate insider threats or targeted attacks involving social engineering. The absence of known exploits in the wild suggests a low immediate risk, but the potential for future exploitation remains if devices are not patched. Therefore, the impact is moderate in terms of data confidentiality and compliance obligations.

European organizations should implement a targeted mitigation strategy beyond generic patching advice: 1) Enforce rapid deployment of Apple’s security updates (iOS 16.7/iPadOS 16.7/iOS 17/iPadOS 17 and macOS Monterey 12.7/Ventura 13.6/Sonoma 14) across all managed Apple devices. 2) Utilize Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to monitor device OS versions and enforce update compliance. 3) Restrict app installation to trusted sources only, such as the Apple App Store, and consider application whitelisting to prevent installation of potentially malicious apps. 4) Educate users on the risks of social engineering and the importance of not interacting with suspicious prompts or apps that request access to sensitive data. 5) Implement strict app permission policies, minimizing access to protected data unless explicitly required. 6) Conduct regular audits of installed applications and their permissions to detect anomalous access patterns. 7) For highly sensitive environments, consider additional endpoint protection solutions that can detect unusual app behavior on Apple devices. 8) Maintain incident response readiness to quickly investigate any suspected data access incidents related to this vulnerability.