CVE-2024-23217 is a privacy-related vulnerability identified in Apple’s iOS and iPadOS platforms, as well as macOS Sonoma and watchOS. The root cause stems from improper handling of temporary files, which allows a malicious or compromised app to bypass certain user-configured privacy preferences. These preferences typically restrict app access to sensitive data or device capabilities, and bypassing them could lead to unauthorized data exposure. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-922, which relates to improper restriction of operations within the bounds of a memory buffer or file system, here specifically tied to temporary file management. Apple addressed this issue in their 2024.3 updates for iOS 17.3, iPadOS 17.3, macOS Sonoma 14.3, and watchOS 10.3. The CVSS v3.1 score is 3.3 (low severity), with vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N, indicating that exploitation requires local access, low attack complexity, no privileges, but user interaction is necessary, and the impact is limited to confidentiality with no integrity or availability impact. No public exploits have been reported, suggesting limited active exploitation. The vulnerability’s impact is primarily privacy erosion rather than system compromise or denial of service.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-23217 is primarily related to privacy compliance and data protection obligations under regulations such as GDPR. If an app bypasses privacy preferences, it could lead to unauthorized access or leakage of personal or sensitive information stored or processed on Apple devices. This could result in regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and loss of user trust. The low severity and requirement for user interaction reduce the likelihood of widespread exploitation, but targeted attacks against high-value individuals or sensitive environments remain a concern. Organizations relying heavily on Apple mobile devices for business operations, especially those handling sensitive personal or corporate data, could face increased risk if devices are not promptly updated. The vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, so operational disruption is unlikely. However, privacy breaches can have significant legal and compliance ramifications in Europe.

European organizations should prioritize deploying the Apple security updates that address this vulnerability: iOS 17.3, iPadOS 17.3, macOS Sonoma 14.3, and watchOS 10.3. Beyond patching, organizations should enforce strict app installation policies, limiting apps to those vetted through official Apple channels and enterprise app stores. Employ Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to monitor and control app permissions and privacy settings centrally. Educate users about the risks of interacting with untrusted apps or links, as user interaction is required for exploitation. Regularly audit device privacy settings and app permissions to detect anomalies. For highly sensitive environments, consider additional endpoint protection tools that monitor app behavior for suspicious activity related to file system access. Finally, maintain an inventory of Apple devices and ensure timely OS updates as part of the organization's vulnerability management program.