CVE-2023-42893 is a permissions-related vulnerability in Apple’s iOS, iPadOS, and other related operating systems that could allow a malicious app to access protected user data without proper authorization. The root cause is a permissions issue where insufficient checks allowed apps to bypass intended data access restrictions. Apple addressed this by removing the vulnerable code paths and implementing additional permission validation checks. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Apple platforms, including macOS Monterey 12.7.2, macOS Ventura 13.6.3, iOS 17.2, iPadOS 17.2, iOS 16.7.3, iPadOS 16.7.3, tvOS 17.2, watchOS 10.2, and macOS Sonoma 14.2. The CVSS v3.1 score is 5.5 (medium), reflecting that exploitation requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges (PR:N), but user interaction (UI:R) is necessary. The impact is primarily on confidentiality (C:H), with no impact on integrity or availability. No known exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date. The vulnerability could be exploited by a malicious app installed on a device to access sensitive user data that should otherwise be protected by the OS’s permission model. This represents a significant privacy risk, especially for users and organizations relying on Apple devices for secure data handling. The fix involves updating to the specified patched OS versions where the vulnerable code has been removed and permission checks strengthened.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized access to sensitive user data on Apple devices, potentially leading to data breaches and privacy violations. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and enterprises with BYOD policies are particularly vulnerable due to the sensitive nature of their data. The confidentiality breach could result in exposure of personal identifiable information (PII), intellectual property, or confidential communications. Since exploitation requires local access and user interaction, the threat is more relevant in scenarios where attackers can trick users into installing malicious apps or gaining physical access to devices. This could undermine trust in Apple devices within corporate environments and complicate compliance with GDPR and other data protection regulations. The medium severity indicates a moderate but non-negligible risk, emphasizing the need for timely patching and user awareness to prevent exploitation.

1. Immediately update all Apple devices to the patched OS versions listed: iOS 17.2, iPadOS 17.2, iOS 16.7.3, iPadOS 16.7.3, macOS Monterey 12.7.2, macOS Ventura 13.6.3, macOS Sonoma 14.2, tvOS 17.2, and watchOS 10.2. 2. Enforce strict app installation policies, limiting installations to trusted sources such as the official Apple App Store and using Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to control app permissions. 3. Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted apps and the importance of user interaction in exploitation to reduce social engineering risks. 4. Monitor device logs and behavior for unusual app activity that could indicate attempts to exploit permission weaknesses. 5. Implement endpoint security solutions capable of detecting anomalous access patterns to protected data on Apple devices. 6. Regularly review and audit app permissions and remove unnecessary or suspicious applications. 7. For organizations with BYOD policies, ensure compliance with patch management and security standards for personal devices accessing corporate resources.