CVE-2024-23287 is a privacy vulnerability identified in Apple’s iOS and iPadOS platforms, also affecting macOS Sonoma and watchOS, related to the improper handling of temporary files. The flaw allows an app with limited privileges (requiring some level of privilege but no user interaction) to access sensitive user data that it should not be able to read. This is due to insufficient isolation or cleanup of temporary files, which may contain sensitive information. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-377, which concerns insecure temporary file handling. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5, indicating a medium severity level, with an attack vector of network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring privileges (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), high confidentiality impact (C:H), and no impact on integrity or availability (I:N/A:N). The issue was addressed by Apple in iOS 17.4, iPadOS 17.4, macOS Sonoma 14.4, and watchOS 10.4 through improved management of temporary files to prevent unauthorized access. No exploits have been reported in the wild, but the vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized data exposure if exploited. The vulnerability affects all versions prior to the patched releases, though exact affected versions are unspecified. This flaw underscores the criticality of secure temporary file handling in mobile OS environments to protect user privacy.

For European organizations, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user data if malicious or compromised apps exploit the flaw. This is particularly concerning for enterprises relying on iOS and iPadOS devices for handling confidential information, including personal data protected under GDPR. The confidentiality breach could result in regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and loss of customer trust. Since the vulnerability does not affect integrity or availability, the primary risk is data leakage. The requirement for some privilege level means that only apps with certain permissions can exploit this, limiting the attack surface but not eliminating it. Organizations with mobile device management (MDM) solutions that allow app control can reduce risk by restricting app permissions and enforcing OS updates. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the need for prompt patching. The impact is higher in sectors with sensitive data such as finance, healthcare, and government agencies using Apple devices.

1. Immediately update all Apple devices to iOS 17.4, iPadOS 17.4, macOS Sonoma 14.4, or watchOS 10.4 as applicable to apply the official patch. 2. Employ strict app permission policies via MDM to limit app privileges, especially restricting access to file system areas where temporary files are stored. 3. Audit installed apps regularly to identify and remove any unnecessary or untrusted applications that could exploit this vulnerability. 4. Educate users about the risks of installing apps from untrusted sources and encourage use of the official App Store only. 5. Monitor device logs and behavior for unusual file access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. 6. Implement data encryption and secure storage practices to minimize sensitive data exposure even if temporary files are accessed. 7. Coordinate with Apple support and security advisories for any updates or additional mitigations. 8. For enterprise environments, enforce policies that delay or block installation of apps requiring elevated privileges unless vetted.