CVE-2023-41073 is an authorization vulnerability identified in Apple’s iOS and iPadOS platforms, where an application may gain access to protected user data improperly. The root cause is an authorization flaw related to inadequate state management within the operating system, which could allow malicious or compromised apps to bypass normal access controls. This vulnerability affects multiple Apple operating systems, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS, with patches released in versions such as iOS 16.7, iOS 17, iPadOS 16.7, iPadOS 17, macOS Ventura 13.6, macOS Monterey 12.7, macOS Sonoma 14, tvOS 17, and watchOS 10. The vulnerability was publicly disclosed on September 26, 2023, with no known active exploits reported in the wild. The issue could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user data, undermining user privacy and potentially exposing confidential information to malicious actors. Since the vulnerability does not require user interaction or authentication, it presents a significant risk if exploited. Apple’s fix involves improved state management to enforce proper authorization checks, preventing apps from accessing data they should not. The lack of a CVSS score necessitates an expert severity assessment based on the impact and exploitability characteristics.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality of sensitive user data on Apple mobile devices. Enterprises relying on iPhones and iPads for business communications, data storage, or accessing corporate resources could face unauthorized data exposure if malicious apps exploit this flaw. This could lead to data breaches involving personal identifiable information (PII), intellectual property, or other confidential information, potentially violating GDPR and other privacy regulations. The vulnerability could also undermine trust in mobile device security, affecting sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government agencies that heavily use Apple devices. Although no active exploits are known, the potential for exploitation exists due to the lack of authentication or user interaction requirements, increasing the urgency for patching. Additionally, the widespread use of Apple devices in Europe means a broad attack surface, amplifying the potential impact if attackers develop exploits.

European organizations should immediately prioritize updating all affected Apple devices to the patched OS versions listed by Apple, including iOS 16.7 or later, iPadOS 16.7 or later, macOS Ventura 13.6 or later, and others as applicable. Device management policies should enforce mandatory updates and restrict installation of unapproved or suspicious applications. Organizations should audit app permissions and monitor for unusual app behavior that could indicate exploitation attempts. Implement Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to centrally manage updates and security configurations. Additionally, educate users on the importance of installing OS updates promptly and avoiding installation of apps from untrusted sources. Network-level protections such as endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools can help identify anomalous data access patterns. Finally, organizations should review incident response plans to quickly address any suspected data exposure incidents related to this vulnerability.