CVE-2024-40835 is a logic vulnerability in Apple’s iOS and iPadOS platforms that allows a shortcut — a user-configured automation script — to access sensitive data without triggering the usual user consent prompt. This flaw arises from insufficient validation checks within the shortcut execution environment, permitting certain shortcut actions to bypass security prompts. The vulnerability affects multiple Apple operating systems including iOS 16.7.8 and earlier, iPadOS 16.7.8 and earlier, macOS Ventura 13.6.7 and earlier, macOS Monterey 12.7.5 and earlier, watchOS 10.5 and earlier, and macOS Sonoma 14.5 and earlier. Apple fixed the issue by enhancing the logic checks that govern shortcut permissions in iOS 16.7.9, iPadOS 16.7.9, macOS Ventura 13.6.8, macOS Monterey 12.7.6, iOS 17.6, iPadOS 17.6, watchOS 10.6, and macOS Sonoma 14.6. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium severity), reflecting that exploitation requires local access with low privileges (AV:L, PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), and impacts confidentiality (C:H) but not integrity or availability. No public exploits have been reported, indicating limited current exploitation but a potential risk if attackers gain local access. The vulnerability could be leveraged by malicious apps or scripts to silently extract sensitive information from affected devices.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to confidentiality, as sensitive data on Apple devices could be accessed without user consent. Organizations with employees or executives using iPhones, iPads, or Macs for handling sensitive corporate or personal data are at risk of data leakage. This could impact sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure where data confidentiality is paramount. Since exploitation requires local access and low privileges, the threat is higher in environments where device physical access or local user accounts can be compromised, such as shared workstations or BYOD scenarios. The lack of required user interaction means that once a malicious shortcut is installed or executed, data exfiltration could occur silently. This could facilitate espionage, insider threats, or data theft. However, the absence of known exploits in the wild and the medium severity rating suggest the threat is moderate but should not be ignored.

European organizations should ensure all Apple devices are updated promptly to the fixed OS versions: iOS and iPadOS 16.7.9 or later, macOS Ventura 13.6.8 or later, macOS Monterey 12.7.6 or later, watchOS 10.6 or later, and macOS Sonoma 14.6 or later. Device management policies should restrict the installation and execution of untrusted shortcuts, especially those sourced outside official channels. Endpoint protection solutions should monitor for unusual shortcut activity or unauthorized automation scripts. User training should emphasize the risks of installing shortcuts from unknown sources. Organizations should enforce strong local access controls to prevent unauthorized users from gaining low-privilege access to devices. Regular audits of installed shortcuts and automation scripts can help detect potentially malicious configurations. Additionally, integrating Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies and OS updates can reduce exposure. Finally, sensitive data should be encrypted and access logged to detect potential unauthorized access.