CVE-2024-40805 is a vulnerability identified in Apple’s iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, macOS, and tvOS platforms that allows an application to bypass the operating system’s privacy preferences. The root cause is a permissions issue categorized under CWE-281 (Improper Privilege Management), where an app can circumvent restrictions designed to protect user data and privacy settings. This flaw could enable an app to access sensitive information or perform actions that should be blocked by privacy controls, thereby compromising confidentiality and integrity. The vulnerability requires local access (AV:L) but does not require any privileges (PR:N) or user interaction (UI:N), making it easier for a malicious app already installed on the device to exploit the issue silently. The scope is unchanged (S:U), meaning the impact is limited to the vulnerable component without affecting other system components. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.7 (high), reflecting the significant confidentiality and integrity impact without affecting availability. Apple addressed this vulnerability by implementing additional restrictions in the privacy permission model, releasing patches in watchOS 10.6, macOS Sonoma 14.6, iOS 17.6, iPadOS 17.6, and tvOS 17.6. No public exploits or active exploitation in the wild have been reported to date. This vulnerability poses a risk especially in environments where unvetted apps may be installed, potentially leading to unauthorized data access or privacy breaches.

For European organizations, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive corporate or personal data on Apple devices, undermining data confidentiality and user privacy. Given the strict data protection regulations in Europe, such as GDPR, exploitation could result in regulatory penalties and reputational damage. The ability to bypass privacy preferences without user interaction or authentication increases the risk of stealthy data exfiltration or surveillance by malicious insiders or external attackers who manage to install compromised apps. Organizations relying heavily on Apple ecosystems for mobile workforce or IoT devices (e.g., iPads, Apple Watches) are particularly vulnerable. This could affect sectors handling sensitive information, including finance, healthcare, and government agencies. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits targeting this vulnerability. Failure to patch promptly could expose organizations to data breaches and compliance violations.

European organizations should prioritize updating all Apple devices to the patched OS versions: iOS and iPadOS 17.6, watchOS 10.6, macOS Sonoma 14.6, and tvOS 17.6. Enforce strict mobile device management (MDM) policies to control app installations, limiting them to trusted sources such as the Apple App Store and vetted enterprise apps. Implement application whitelisting and continuous monitoring for unusual app behavior that could indicate exploitation attempts. Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted applications and the importance of applying system updates promptly. Conduct regular audits of device compliance to ensure all endpoints are running the latest security patches. For high-risk environments, consider additional endpoint protection solutions that monitor privacy settings and detect unauthorized access attempts. Coordinate with legal and compliance teams to assess potential GDPR impacts and prepare incident response plans tailored to privacy breaches. Finally, maintain awareness of any emerging exploit reports or security advisories related to this CVE to adapt defenses accordingly.