CVE-2024-40818 is a vulnerability discovered in Apple’s iOS and iPadOS platforms, as well as related operating systems such as macOS Ventura, macOS Sonoma, and watchOS. The flaw allows an attacker who has physical access to a locked device to invoke Siri and leverage it to access sensitive user data without needing to unlock the device or authenticate. This occurs because Siri, when activated on a locked device, previously offered options that could be exploited to extract confidential information. Apple mitigated this issue by restricting the functionality and options available to Siri when the device is locked, thereby reducing the attack surface. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 4.6, indicating a medium severity level, primarily due to the requirement of physical access and the lack of impact on data integrity or availability. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond physical access, and no privileges are needed to exploit it. The affected versions are unspecified but patches have been released in iOS 16.7.9, iPadOS 16.7.9, iOS 17.6, iPadOS 17.6, macOS Ventura 13.6.8, macOS Sonoma 14.6, and watchOS 10.6. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, but the potential for data leakage through physical device compromise is significant. This vulnerability highlights the risks associated with voice assistant features on locked devices and the importance of limiting their capabilities to protect user privacy.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-40818 is the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive or confidential information stored on Apple devices if an attacker gains physical access. This could include corporate emails, contacts, calendar entries, or other personal data accessible via Siri queries. The confidentiality breach could lead to corporate espionage, privacy violations, or compliance issues under regulations such as GDPR. Since the vulnerability does not allow data modification or denial of service, the impact on integrity and availability is minimal. However, the ease of physical access exploitation means that lost or stolen devices pose a significant risk. Organizations with mobile workforces or those issuing Apple devices to employees are particularly vulnerable. The risk is heightened in environments where physical security controls are weak or where devices are frequently used in public or unsecured locations. Failure to patch promptly could result in reputational damage and regulatory penalties if sensitive data is exposed.

1. Immediately deploy the security updates released by Apple for iOS, iPadOS, macOS Ventura, macOS Sonoma, and watchOS to all organizational devices. 2. Enforce strict physical security policies to prevent unauthorized access to devices, including secure storage and use of cable locks or safes. 3. Configure device settings to limit Siri functionality on locked screens, if possible, as an additional precaution. 4. Educate employees about the risks of leaving devices unattended and the importance of reporting lost or stolen devices promptly. 5. Implement mobile device management (MDM) solutions that can enforce security policies, remotely lock, or wipe devices if compromised. 6. Regularly audit device compliance with security policies and patch levels. 7. Consider disabling Siri on locked devices in high-risk environments where physical access cannot be reliably controlled. 8. Review and minimize the amount of sensitive data accessible via voice assistant queries.