CVE-2024-40813 is a vulnerability identified in Apple’s iOS and iPadOS operating systems, specifically related to the lock screen's state management when interacting with Siri. The issue allows an attacker with physical access to a locked device to invoke Siri and potentially extract sensitive user data without requiring authentication or user interaction. The root cause is improper state management (classified under CWE-922: Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer) that enables Siri to bypass lock screen restrictions. This vulnerability affects unspecified versions prior to iOS 17.6 and iPadOS 17.6, with patches released in these versions and watchOS 10.6. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 4.6 (medium severity), reflecting that the attack vector requires physical access (AV:P), no privileges (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), and results in high confidentiality impact (C:H) but no impact on integrity or availability. Although no known exploits are currently in the wild, the vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized data disclosure, especially in environments where devices are left unattended or physically accessible to adversaries. The vulnerability underscores the importance of robust lock screen protections and careful management of voice assistant capabilities on locked devices.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-40813 is the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information stored on iOS and iPadOS devices. This is particularly concerning for sectors handling confidential or personal data, such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure. The requirement for physical access limits remote exploitation but raises risks in scenarios involving device theft, loss, or insider threats. Exposure of sensitive data could lead to privacy violations, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR), reputational damage, and potential secondary attacks leveraging the leaked information. The medium severity rating reflects that while the vulnerability does not affect device integrity or availability, the confidentiality breach can have significant consequences depending on the data accessed. Organizations relying heavily on Apple mobile devices for sensitive communications or operations must consider this vulnerability a tangible risk vector.

1. Apply the official patches by upgrading all affected Apple devices to iOS 17.6, iPadOS 17.6, or watchOS 10.6 as soon as possible to remediate the vulnerability. 2. Temporarily disable Siri access from the lock screen via device settings to prevent unauthorized voice commands when devices are locked. 3. Enforce strict physical security policies to minimize unauthorized physical access to devices, including secure storage and device tracking. 4. Implement Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to centrally manage device configurations, enforce lock screen settings, and deploy updates promptly. 5. Educate users on the risks of leaving devices unattended and the importance of reporting lost or stolen devices immediately. 6. Consider additional endpoint protection tools that can detect anomalous device interactions or unauthorized access attempts. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on immediate configuration changes and organizational policies that reduce the attack surface until patches are fully deployed.