CVE-2024-40799 is a vulnerability identified in Apple’s iOS and iPadOS platforms, as well as other Apple operating systems such as macOS Ventura, Monterey, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS. The root cause is an out-of-bounds read (CWE-125) triggered by processing a maliciously crafted file, which occurs due to insufficient input validation. This flaw can cause unexpected application termination, effectively resulting in a denial-of-service condition for affected apps. The vulnerability is exploitable locally with low attack complexity, requiring no privileges but necessitating user interaction to open or process the malicious file. Apple addressed this issue in updates iOS 16.7.9, iPadOS 16.7.9, iOS 17.6, iPadOS 17.6, and corresponding versions of other OSes. The CVSS v3.1 score is 7.1 (high), reflecting high confidentiality impact and high availability impact, but no impact on integrity. Although no known exploits have been reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a risk especially in environments where users might open untrusted files. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Apple devices, making it relevant to a wide user base. The fix involves improved input validation to prevent out-of-bounds reads when parsing files.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-40799 is disruption of business operations due to unexpected app crashes, which can lead to denial of service on critical mobile or desktop applications running on Apple devices. Confidentiality impact is rated high, indicating potential exposure of sensitive data during the out-of-bounds read, although no integrity impact is noted. Organizations relying heavily on iOS/iPadOS devices for communication, document handling, or specialized applications may experience operational interruptions. This can affect sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure where Apple devices are prevalent. The requirement for user interaction limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments where users may receive malicious files via email or messaging. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate threat but does not preclude targeted attacks or future exploit development. The broad range of affected Apple OS versions means many devices in use across Europe are vulnerable if unpatched.

European organizations should implement a multi-layered mitigation approach: 1) Prioritize immediate deployment of Apple’s security updates for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS to ensure the vulnerability is patched. 2) Enforce strict policies on file handling, including disabling automatic file previews and scanning incoming files with advanced endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting malformed files. 3) Educate users about the risks of opening files from untrusted or unknown sources, emphasizing caution with email attachments and messaging apps. 4) Utilize Mobile Device Management (MDM) tools to enforce update compliance and restrict installation of unapproved applications that might process malicious files. 5) Monitor logs and application behavior for signs of crashes or abnormal terminations that could indicate exploitation attempts. 6) Implement network-level controls to filter potentially malicious file transfers and employ sandboxing for file analysis where feasible. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on user behavior, device management, and proactive detection.