CVE-2024-23220 is a vulnerability identified in Apple visionOS, as well as iOS and iPadOS versions prior to 1.1 and 17.4 respectively. The core issue involves improper handling of caches within the operating system, which allows a malicious application to fingerprint the user. Fingerprinting here refers to the ability of an app to collect unique device or user-specific data that can be used to track or profile the user across sessions or applications without their consent. This vulnerability does not require any privileges or user interaction, making it easier for an attacker to exploit once an app is installed. However, the vulnerability does not compromise confidentiality directly, as it does not expose sensitive data, nor does it affect system availability. The integrity impact is limited to user privacy, as fingerprinting can undermine anonymity and tracking protections. Apple addressed this issue by improving cache handling mechanisms in visionOS 1.1, iOS 17.4, and iPadOS 17.4. The CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N) reflects a local attack vector with low complexity, no privileges or user interaction required, unchanged scope, no confidentiality or availability impact, and limited integrity impact. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, suggesting this is a preemptive patch to enhance user privacy protections in Apple's AR/VR ecosystem.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-23220 lies in privacy and compliance risks rather than direct operational disruption. The ability for an app to fingerprint users can lead to unauthorized tracking and profiling, potentially violating GDPR and other stringent European privacy regulations. This could result in regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and loss of user trust, especially for organizations handling sensitive or personal data. Enterprises deploying Apple visionOS devices in sectors such as healthcare, finance, or government may face elevated risks if malicious apps exploit this vulnerability to track user behavior or correlate identities across services. Although the vulnerability does not allow data exfiltration or system compromise, the erosion of user privacy can have cascading effects on compliance and security posture. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate threat but does not eliminate the risk, especially as adoption of visionOS and related devices grows in Europe.

European organizations should prioritize updating all Apple visionOS, iOS, and iPadOS devices to versions 1.1, 17.4, or later to ensure the vulnerability is patched. Beyond patching, organizations should enforce strict application vetting policies, especially for visionOS apps, to prevent installation of untrusted or malicious software capable of fingerprinting. Employ Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to control app permissions and monitor device behavior for anomalous fingerprinting activities. Educate users about the risks of installing apps from unverified sources and promote awareness of privacy settings on Apple devices. Additionally, organizations should review and enhance their privacy compliance frameworks to detect and respond to potential fingerprinting or tracking attempts, integrating telemetry and logs from visionOS devices where possible. Finally, collaborate with Apple support channels for guidance on secure deployment and monitoring of visionOS devices in enterprise environments.