CVE-2025-24202 is a vulnerability identified in Apple iOS and iPadOS operating systems, specifically related to a logging mechanism that failed to adequately redact sensitive user data. This flaw allowed an application, potentially without elevated privileges, to access sensitive information that should have been protected by the system. The root cause was insufficient data redaction in logs, which could expose confidential user data to unauthorized apps. The issue was addressed by Apple in iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4 through improved data redaction techniques in the logging process. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.5, indicating medium severity. The attack vector is local (AV:L), requiring the attacker to have physical or local access to the device, with low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but user interaction is necessary (UI:R). The scope is unchanged (S:U), and the impact is high on confidentiality (C:H) but none on integrity (I:N) or availability (A:N). There are no known exploits in the wild at this time. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-284 (Improper Access Control), highlighting that the access control mechanisms around sensitive data in logs were insufficient. This vulnerability underscores the risks posed by improper logging and data handling within mobile operating systems, which can lead to unintended data exposure even without traditional privilege escalation.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-24202 is the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user data on Apple iOS and iPadOS devices. This can affect employees using corporate or personal Apple devices, especially in sectors handling sensitive or regulated data such as finance, healthcare, and government. The confidentiality breach could lead to exposure of personal identifiable information (PII), corporate secrets, or credentials, increasing the risk of targeted phishing, identity theft, or further compromise. Since the vulnerability requires local access and user interaction, remote exploitation is unlikely, but insider threats or physical device compromise scenarios are relevant. The lack of impact on integrity and availability means the threat is primarily data leakage rather than system disruption. Organizations relying heavily on Apple mobile devices for critical operations may face compliance risks under GDPR if sensitive data is exposed. Additionally, the vulnerability could undermine trust in device security, affecting mobile workforce productivity and security posture.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigation strategies: 1) Prioritize immediate deployment of iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4 updates across all Apple devices to ensure the vulnerability is patched. 2) Enforce strict app installation policies, limiting apps to those from trusted sources and minimizing permissions to reduce the risk of malicious apps exploiting logging flaws. 3) Educate users about the risks of interacting with untrusted apps or links, as user interaction is required for exploitation. 4) Implement device management solutions (MDM) to monitor and control app behavior and detect anomalous access patterns to sensitive data. 5) Regularly audit logs and system behavior for signs of unauthorized data access or leakage. 6) For highly sensitive environments, consider additional endpoint protection tools that can monitor and restrict access to sensitive data on mobile devices. 7) Review and update incident response plans to include scenarios involving local device compromise and data leakage from mobile endpoints. These steps go beyond generic patching by focusing on minimizing exposure and detecting exploitation attempts.