CVE-2024-44296 is a vulnerability identified in Apple visionOS and other Apple operating systems and browsers, where processing specially crafted web content can prevent the enforcement of Content Security Policy (CSP). CSP is a critical security mechanism designed to restrict the sources from which web content can be loaded, thereby mitigating cross-site scripting (XSS) and data injection attacks. The vulnerability arises due to insufficient validation or checks when handling web content, allowing malicious content to bypass CSP restrictions. This can lead to unauthorized script execution or data leakage within the context of the affected browser or application. The issue affects multiple Apple platforms including visionOS, tvOS 18.1, iOS 18.1 and 17.7.1, iPadOS 18.1 and 17.7.1, watchOS 11.1, macOS Sequoia 15.1, and Safari 18.1. Apple has addressed the vulnerability by implementing improved validation checks in these updates. The CVSS v3.1 score is 5.4 (medium severity), with an attack vector of network, low attack complexity, no privileges required, but user interaction is necessary (e.g., visiting a malicious website). The impact affects confidentiality and integrity to a limited extent, with no impact on availability. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild. This vulnerability is particularly relevant for applications and services relying on CSP to enforce web security policies on Apple devices, including emerging platforms like visionOS, which targets augmented and virtual reality environments.

For European organizations, the vulnerability poses a moderate risk primarily to confidentiality and integrity of web content rendered on Apple devices. Attackers could exploit this flaw to bypass CSP protections, potentially enabling injection of malicious scripts or unauthorized data access within the browser or visionOS environment. This could lead to targeted phishing, data exfiltration, or session hijacking attacks, especially in environments where users interact with untrusted web content. Organizations using Apple devices in sensitive sectors such as finance, healthcare, or government could face increased risk of data breaches or espionage. The impact is somewhat mitigated by the requirement for user interaction and the absence of privilege escalation, but the widespread use of Apple products in Europe increases the attack surface. Additionally, visionOS adoption in enterprise or consumer AR/VR applications could introduce new vectors for exploitation if CSP enforcement is bypassed. Failure to patch could also affect compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR if personal data is compromised through this vulnerability.

European organizations should immediately apply the latest security updates released by Apple for visionOS, tvOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, macOS, and Safari to remediate this vulnerability. Beyond patching, organizations should review and strengthen their Content Security Policy configurations to minimize reliance on CSP bypassable directives and avoid overly permissive policies such as 'unsafe-inline' or wildcard sources. Security teams should conduct web application assessments to ensure CSP is correctly implemented and monitor web traffic for signs of malicious content or CSP violations. User awareness training should emphasize caution when interacting with unknown or suspicious web content, especially on Apple devices. For enterprises deploying visionOS or other Apple platforms, consider implementing endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring browser and AR/VR application behaviors. Network-level protections such as web proxies or secure web gateways can help filter malicious content before it reaches endpoints. Finally, maintain an inventory of Apple devices and ensure timely update management aligned with vendor patch releases.