CVE-2024-44229 is an information disclosure vulnerability identified in Apple visionOS and other Apple operating systems including iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, macOS Sequoia 15.1, and Safari 18.1. The vulnerability arises from inadequate validation mechanisms within the private browsing mode, which leads to leakage of some browsing history data that should otherwise remain confidential. Private browsing is designed to prevent storage or exposure of browsing history, cookies, and other session data; however, this flaw undermines that guarantee by allowing some history data to be accessible. The vulnerability is exploitable remotely without requiring any privileges or user interaction, increasing its risk profile. Apple has addressed this issue by implementing additional validation checks in the affected software versions, thereby preventing the leakage. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.3, reflecting a medium severity level, with the vector indicating network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction, unchanged scope, and limited confidentiality impact. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, suggesting the vulnerability is either newly discovered or not yet weaponized. The flaw primarily compromises confidentiality, with no impact on integrity or availability of the system. This vulnerability is relevant to users and organizations deploying Apple visionOS devices or running the specified Apple OS versions and Safari browser, especially where private browsing is used to protect sensitive information.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-44229 is the potential exposure of sensitive browsing history during private browsing sessions on affected Apple devices. This could lead to privacy violations, leakage of confidential information, and potential reconnaissance by threat actors if exploited in targeted attacks. Although the vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, the confidentiality breach can undermine trust in private browsing features, which are often relied upon for sensitive research, communications, or compliance with privacy regulations such as GDPR. Organizations in sectors like finance, healthcare, legal, and government that use Apple visionOS or the affected Apple platforms may face increased risk of data leakage. The lack of required privileges or user interaction means attackers could exploit this vulnerability remotely, increasing the attack surface. However, the absence of known exploits in the wild and the medium severity rating suggest the immediate risk is moderate but should not be ignored. Failure to patch could result in reputational damage and regulatory scrutiny if private browsing data is exposed.

European organizations should prioritize updating all affected Apple devices and software to the fixed versions: visionOS 2.1, iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, macOS Sequoia 15.1, and Safari 18.1. Beyond patching, organizations should audit and monitor the use of private browsing modes on corporate devices, especially those handling sensitive information. Implement endpoint management policies that enforce timely OS and application updates. Consider restricting or monitoring private browsing usage on managed devices if it conflicts with organizational data protection policies. Educate users about the potential risks of private browsing leakage and encourage the use of VPNs or other privacy-enhancing technologies as additional layers of protection. Network monitoring for unusual access patterns to Apple devices may help detect exploitation attempts. Finally, review and update incident response plans to include scenarios involving information leakage from client devices.