CVE-2024-44251 is a security vulnerability identified in Apple’s iOS and iPadOS operating systems that allows an attacker to bypass lock screen restrictions and view content that should remain inaccessible without device unlock. The root cause is improper state management within the OS, which fails to adequately enforce content visibility restrictions on the lock screen. This flaw could be exploited by an attacker with physical access to the device, without requiring any privileges or user interaction, to view sensitive information such as notifications or other restricted content. The vulnerability was addressed by Apple through improved state management controls and fixed in iOS and iPadOS version 18.1. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 2.4, indicating a low severity vulnerability primarily impacting confidentiality with no effect on integrity or availability. The attack vector is physical (AV:P), with low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), and no user interaction needed (UI:N). There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication. This vulnerability highlights the importance of robust lock screen security to prevent unauthorized data exposure, especially on mobile devices that often contain sensitive personal and corporate information.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-44251 is a potential confidentiality breach if an attacker gains physical access to an employee’s iOS or iPadOS device. Sensitive information such as notifications, messages, or other restricted content could be viewed without unlocking the device, potentially exposing personal data or corporate secrets. While the vulnerability does not allow modification or deletion of data, nor does it impact device availability, the exposure of restricted content could facilitate social engineering or further attacks. The risk is heightened in environments where devices are frequently left unattended or lost. However, the low CVSS score and absence of known exploits suggest the overall risk is limited. Organizations relying heavily on Apple mobile devices should consider this vulnerability in their endpoint security and data protection strategies, especially in sectors handling sensitive or regulated data.

The most effective mitigation is to update all affected Apple devices to iOS and iPadOS version 18.1 or later, where the vulnerability has been fixed. Organizations should enforce timely patch management policies and ensure users apply updates promptly. Additionally, enforcing strong device access controls such as complex passcodes, biometric authentication, and automatic lock timeouts can reduce the window of opportunity for physical attackers. Disabling lock screen notifications or restricting sensitive content from appearing on the lock screen can further minimize data exposure. Employee training on device security and physical security best practices is also recommended. For high-security environments, consider mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies and monitor device compliance.