CVE-2024-40798 is a vulnerability identified in Apple’s iOS and iPadOS platforms, where an application with limited privileges (local access and low privilege) can read Safari's browsing history due to insufficient redaction of sensitive information. This vulnerability falls under CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor). The flaw allows an app to access browsing history data that should be protected, potentially compromising user privacy. The vulnerability does not require user interaction but does require the app to have some level of local privilege, making remote exploitation unlikely without prior device compromise. The CVSS v3.1 score is 3.3 (low severity), reflecting limited confidentiality impact and no impact on integrity or availability. Apple has fixed this issue in multiple OS versions including iOS 16.7.9 and iPadOS 16.7.9, as well as macOS Sonoma 14.6, Monterey 12.7.6, and Ventura 13.6.8, by improving the redaction of sensitive data. No public exploits or active attacks have been reported, indicating the threat is currently theoretical but should be addressed to protect user privacy. The vulnerability primarily affects devices running older, unpatched versions of iOS and iPadOS.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-40798 is the potential exposure of employees’ or users’ Safari browsing history to unauthorized apps installed on iOS or iPadOS devices. This could lead to privacy violations, leakage of sensitive browsing patterns, or profiling of user behavior, which may contravene GDPR and other privacy regulations. While the vulnerability does not allow modification or disruption of data or services, the confidentiality breach could undermine trust and lead to reputational damage. Organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies or those deploying Apple devices in sensitive environments are at higher risk. The impact is more pronounced in sectors handling sensitive or regulated data, such as finance, healthcare, or government. Since exploitation requires local privileges, the threat is mitigated by strong device management and app vetting policies. However, failure to patch could allow insider threats or malicious apps to harvest browsing data unnoticed.

1. Immediately apply the security updates released by Apple: iOS 16.7.9, iPadOS 16.7.9, macOS Sonoma 14.6, Monterey 12.7.6, and Ventura 13.6.8 or later. 2. Enforce strict mobile device management (MDM) policies to control app installation and permissions, limiting apps from accessing unnecessary data. 3. Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted or unauthorized applications, especially those requesting extensive permissions. 4. Regularly audit installed apps on corporate devices to detect and remove suspicious or unnecessary software. 5. Use Apple’s privacy features such as App Privacy Reports to monitor app behavior related to data access. 6. For highly sensitive environments, consider restricting Safari usage or enforcing secure browsing policies. 7. Monitor for unusual app activity that could indicate attempts to access browsing data. 8. Maintain up-to-date inventories of devices and OS versions to ensure timely patch deployment.