CVE-2024-23292 is a vulnerability identified in Apple iOS and iPadOS platforms that allows an application to access a user's contacts information without proper authorization controls. The root cause relates to insufficient data protection mechanisms that previously allowed apps to bypass intended privacy restrictions. This vulnerability falls under CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor). The issue was resolved by Apple in iOS 17.4, iPadOS 17.4, and macOS Sonoma 14.4 through enhanced data protection improvements that restrict unauthorized access to contact data. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 3.3, indicating low severity, with the vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N. This means the attack requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but user interaction is necessary (UI:R). The impact is limited to confidentiality loss of contact information; integrity and availability are unaffected. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, suggesting limited active exploitation. The vulnerability primarily affects devices running versions prior to the fixed releases, with unspecified affected versions. Given the nature of the vulnerability, it is most relevant to environments where users install third-party apps, potentially malicious or compromised, that could exploit this flaw to harvest contact data.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-23292 is the potential unauthorized disclosure of contact information stored on iOS and iPadOS devices. This could lead to privacy violations, social engineering, or spear-phishing attacks leveraging exposed contact details. While the vulnerability does not compromise system integrity or availability, the confidentiality breach could affect employees, partners, and customers, especially in sectors handling sensitive or regulated data such as finance, healthcare, and government. Organizations with mobile workforces relying on Apple devices are at higher risk. The requirement for local access and user interaction limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate insider threats or risks from malicious apps installed by users. Failure to patch could undermine compliance with European data protection regulations like GDPR, which mandates safeguarding personal data. Overall, the impact is moderate in terms of privacy and regulatory compliance but low in terms of system disruption.

To mitigate CVE-2024-23292, European organizations should prioritize updating all Apple iOS and iPadOS devices to version 17.4 or later, and macOS devices to Sonoma 14.4 or later, as these versions contain the necessary fixes. Implement strict mobile device management (MDM) policies to control app installation and permissions, limiting apps’ access to contacts only when explicitly required and approved. Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted applications and the importance of user interaction in enabling this vulnerability. Employ application whitelisting or vetted app stores to reduce the risk of malicious apps exploiting this flaw. Regularly audit device configurations and permissions to ensure compliance with organizational security policies. Additionally, monitor for unusual access patterns to contact data that could indicate exploitation attempts. For organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies, enforce compliance with update and security standards. Finally, maintain incident response readiness to address any potential data exposure incidents swiftly.