CVE-2024-40774 is a vulnerability in Apple iOS and iPadOS stemming from a downgrade issue that allowed apps to bypass Privacy preferences. The root cause relates to insufficient code-signing restrictions that could be circumvented, enabling an app to access data or functionalities that users had explicitly restricted through privacy settings. Apple addressed this by implementing additional code-signing restrictions in iOS 17.6, iPadOS 17.6, and corresponding macOS updates (Ventura 13.6.8, Monterey 12.7.6, Sonoma 14.6). The vulnerability requires an attacker to have local access with limited privileges (AV:L) and some user interaction (UI:R) to exploit. The scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the initially compromised component. The impact is primarily on confidentiality (C:H), with no direct impact on integrity (I:N) or availability (A:N). No known exploits have been reported in the wild, indicating this is a recently disclosed issue. The vulnerability affects all unspecified versions prior to the patched releases, meaning devices running older iOS or iPadOS versions remain vulnerable. The flaw could allow malicious apps to circumvent user privacy controls, potentially accessing sensitive user data or device capabilities that should be restricted. This undermines the trust model of Apple’s privacy framework and could be leveraged for targeted espionage or data leakage.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant privacy risk, especially for sectors handling sensitive personal or corporate data on Apple mobile devices. The ability for an app to bypass privacy preferences could lead to unauthorized access to confidential information, violating GDPR and other privacy regulations. This could result in regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and loss of customer trust. The impact is heightened in environments where employees use iOS or iPadOS devices for work, particularly in finance, healthcare, legal, and government sectors. Although exploitation requires local access and user interaction, social engineering or insider threats could facilitate attacks. The vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability directly, so operational disruption is unlikely, but data confidentiality breaches could have long-term consequences. Organizations relying heavily on Apple ecosystems must prioritize patching to maintain compliance and security posture.

1. Immediately update all Apple devices to iOS 17.6, iPadOS 17.6, or later versions, as well as the corresponding macOS updates (Ventura 13.6.8, Monterey 12.7.6, Sonoma 14.6). 2. Enforce strict mobile device management (MDM) policies to control app installations, limiting apps to those from trusted sources and vetted developers. 3. Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted apps and the importance of avoiding social engineering attempts that could trigger user interaction exploitation. 4. Monitor device logs and privacy settings for unusual changes or unauthorized access attempts. 5. Implement network segmentation and endpoint detection to limit the impact of compromised devices. 6. Regularly audit privacy settings and compliance with organizational policies. 7. Coordinate with Apple support and security advisories to stay informed about any emerging exploits or additional patches.