CVE-2024-40863 is a vulnerability identified in Apple iOS and iPadOS operating systems that allows an application with limited privileges to leak sensitive user information. The issue stems from insufficient data protection mechanisms in affected versions prior to iOS/iPadOS 18, enabling unauthorized access to confidential data. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor). According to the CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N), exploitation requires local access (e.g., an installed app), low attack complexity, and privileges but no user interaction. The impact is high on confidentiality, with no effect on integrity or availability. Apple addressed this vulnerability by enhancing data protection controls in iOS and iPadOS 18, which prevents apps from accessing sensitive information improperly. No public exploits or active exploitation have been reported to date. The vulnerability affects unspecified versions prior to iOS/iPadOS 18, highlighting the importance of upgrading. The flaw could allow malicious apps to silently extract sensitive user data, potentially including personal identifiers, credentials, or other private information stored or accessible on the device. This poses privacy and data protection risks, especially for users in regulated environments or handling sensitive corporate data.

For European organizations, this vulnerability presents a risk to the confidentiality of sensitive user and corporate data on Apple mobile devices. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, legal, and government, which often use iPhones and iPads for communication and data access, could be targeted by malicious apps exploiting this flaw to exfiltrate confidential information. The lack of required user interaction increases the risk of stealthy data leakage. Although exploitation requires local app installation with limited privileges, supply chain attacks or social engineering could facilitate deployment of malicious apps. Data breaches resulting from this vulnerability could lead to regulatory penalties under GDPR due to unauthorized exposure of personal data. The impact on integrity and availability is negligible, but the confidentiality breach could undermine trust and cause reputational damage. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the medium severity rating indicates a need for timely mitigation to prevent future exploitation.

European organizations should prioritize upgrading all Apple iOS and iPadOS devices to version 18 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed with improved data protection. Implement strict mobile device management (MDM) policies to control app installation, restricting apps to those from trusted sources and enforcing least privilege principles. Regularly audit installed applications and remove any that are unnecessary or untrusted. Employ endpoint security solutions capable of detecting suspicious app behavior or unauthorized data access attempts. Educate users about the risks of installing unverified apps and the importance of timely OS updates. For highly sensitive environments, consider additional data encryption and compartmentalization strategies on mobile devices. Monitor vendor advisories and Apple security updates for any further patches or mitigations. Finally, ensure incident response plans include procedures for mobile device compromise scenarios to quickly contain potential data leaks.