CVE-2025-24141 is an authentication bypass vulnerability identified in Apple’s iOS and iPadOS platforms, specifically affecting the Photos app. The root cause is an authentication issue related to improper state management within the app’s locking mechanism. This flaw allows an attacker who has physical access to an already unlocked device to bypass the Photos app lock and gain unauthorized access to stored photos. The vulnerability does not require user interaction once physical access is obtained, but it does require the device to be unlocked initially, which limits remote exploitation. Apple addressed this issue in iOS and iPadOS version 18.3 by improving state management to ensure the Photos app remains inaccessible when locked. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 3.3, indicating a low severity primarily due to the requirement for physical access and prior unlocking. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-863 (Incorrect Authorization). No public exploits have been reported, and the affected versions are unspecified but presumed to be all versions prior to 18.3. This vulnerability primarily impacts the confidentiality of user data, specifically private photos, without affecting data integrity or system availability.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-24141 is the potential exposure of sensitive or confidential images stored on employee or executive iOS and iPadOS devices. This could lead to privacy violations, data leakage, or reputational damage, especially in sectors handling sensitive information such as finance, healthcare, legal, and government. Since exploitation requires physical access to an unlocked device, the risk is heightened in environments where devices may be left unattended or inadequately secured, such as offices, conferences, or public spaces. The vulnerability does not enable remote attacks or broader system compromise, limiting its impact to confidentiality breaches on individual devices. However, in high-security environments, even limited data exposure can have serious consequences. Organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies or mobile workforces should be particularly vigilant. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the need for prompt patching.

European organizations should enforce strict physical security policies to prevent unauthorized access to devices, including locking devices when unattended and using strong authentication methods. Immediate mitigation involves updating all iOS and iPadOS devices to version 18.3 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed. Device management solutions (MDM) should be used to enforce update compliance and monitor device status. Additionally, organizations should educate users about the risks of leaving devices unlocked and encourage the use of biometric or strong passcodes to reduce the chance of unauthorized unlocking. Implementing policies that restrict sensitive data storage on mobile devices or using encrypted containers for photos can further reduce exposure. Regular audits of device security posture and incident response plans for lost or stolen devices will help mitigate potential exploitation. Finally, disabling or limiting the use of the Photos app lock feature until devices are updated can be considered in high-risk environments.