CVE-2024-40840 is a vulnerability in Apple’s iOS and iPadOS operating systems that allows an attacker with physical access to a device to leverage Siri to access sensitive user data without authentication or user interaction. The root cause is insufficient state management within Siri, which fails to properly restrict access to sensitive information when invoked under certain conditions. This flaw enables unauthorized data disclosure, compromising confidentiality. The vulnerability affects versions prior to iOS and iPadOS 18, where Apple implemented improved state management to close this attack vector. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 4.6, reflecting a physical attack vector (AV:P), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), high confidentiality impact (C:H), and no impact on integrity or availability (I:N/A:N). No public exploits or active exploitation have been reported to date. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in scenarios where devices may be left unattended or stolen, as it allows attackers to bypass normal security controls via voice assistant access. This issue highlights the importance of securing voice assistant interfaces and managing device state to prevent unauthorized data exposure. Organizations and users should upgrade to iOS and iPadOS 18 to remediate this vulnerability.

For European organizations, the primary impact is the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data stored on iOS and iPadOS devices through Siri when an attacker has physical access. This could include corporate emails, contacts, messages, or other confidential information accessible via voice commands. Although the attack requires physical access, which limits remote exploitation, the risk is significant in environments where devices may be lost, stolen, or temporarily unattended. Confidentiality breaches could lead to data leaks, reputational damage, and compliance violations under GDPR if personal data is exposed. The vulnerability does not affect device integrity or availability, so operational disruption is unlikely. However, the ease of exploitation without authentication or user interaction increases the threat level in physical access scenarios. Organizations relying heavily on Apple mobile devices for sensitive communications or data storage should consider this vulnerability a notable risk. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate urgency but does not eliminate the need for prompt patching and physical security controls.

1. Upgrade all affected Apple devices to iOS and iPadOS 18 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed through improved state management in Siri. 2. Enforce strict physical security policies to prevent unauthorized access to devices, including secure storage and controlled access in workplaces. 3. Configure Siri settings to limit access when the device is locked, such as disabling 'Allow Siri When Locked' to reduce attack surface. 4. Educate users on the risks of leaving devices unattended and encourage use of strong passcodes and biometric locks. 5. Implement mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies and remotely wipe lost or stolen devices promptly. 6. Monitor device usage and access logs where possible to detect suspicious activity related to voice assistant usage. 7. Consider disabling Siri on devices used in highly sensitive environments if voice assistant functionality is not essential. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on configuration changes and organizational policies tailored to this specific vulnerability.