CVE-2024-40829 is a vulnerability identified in Apple’s iOS and iPadOS operating systems that allows an attacker to bypass lock screen restrictions and view sensitive content without authentication or user interaction. The root cause relates to insufficient access control checks on content displayed on the lock screen, which could be exploited remotely over the network without any privileges. This vulnerability affects multiple Apple platforms, including iOS 16.x and 17.x, iPadOS 16.x and 17.x, watchOS 10.6, and macOS Ventura 13.6.8. Apple has released patches in these versions to address the issue by implementing improved verification mechanisms that prevent unauthorized content access. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-416, which typically involves use-after-free or similar memory access issues leading to unintended data exposure. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5 indicates a high severity level, with attack vector being network-based, low attack complexity, no privileges required, and no user interaction needed. The impact primarily compromises confidentiality by allowing attackers to view restricted information, while integrity and availability remain unaffected. No known active exploits have been reported, but the potential for sensitive data leakage from locked devices makes this a critical concern for users and organizations relying on Apple devices.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality of sensitive information stored or accessible on Apple devices. Attackers could remotely access restricted content from locked devices, potentially exposing personal data, corporate emails, messages, or other confidential information without needing any authentication. This could lead to data breaches, privacy violations, and compliance issues under regulations such as GDPR. Organizations in sectors like finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure that rely heavily on Apple devices for communication and data access are particularly vulnerable. The ease of exploitation and lack of required user interaction increase the likelihood of targeted attacks or opportunistic data theft. Additionally, the exposure of sensitive information could facilitate further attacks such as social engineering or spear-phishing campaigns. While availability and integrity are not directly impacted, the breach of confidentiality alone can have severe operational and reputational consequences.

European organizations should immediately prioritize updating all affected Apple devices to the patched versions: iOS 17.6, iPadOS 17.6, iOS 16.7.9, iPadOS 16.7.9, watchOS 10.6, and macOS Ventura 13.6.8. Beyond patching, organizations should review and tighten lock screen content visibility settings to minimize the amount of sensitive information accessible without authentication. This includes disabling notifications or previews on the lock screen where possible. Implement Mobile Device Management (MDM) policies to enforce timely updates and restrict device configurations that expose sensitive data on locked devices. Conduct user awareness training to highlight the importance of applying updates promptly and recognizing suspicious activity. Network-level protections such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems should be tuned to detect anomalous access attempts to Apple devices. Regular audits of device security posture and compliance with organizational security policies will help reduce exposure. Finally, organizations should monitor threat intelligence feeds for any emerging exploit activity related to this vulnerability to respond swiftly if exploitation attempts are detected.