CVE-2025-24220 is a permissions-related vulnerability in Apple iOS and iPadOS that allows an application to read a persistent device identifier without proper authorization. Persistent device identifiers are unique values tied to a device that can be used to track user activity across apps and services, raising significant privacy concerns. The vulnerability stems from insufficient restrictions on access permissions, enabling apps to bypass intended privacy controls. This flaw is categorized under CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor). The vulnerability requires local access to the device and user interaction to exploit, but does not require elevated privileges. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium severity), reflecting the moderate impact on confidentiality with no impact on integrity or availability. Apple fixed this issue by implementing additional restrictions in iOS and iPadOS 18.4, preventing unauthorized access to persistent device identifiers. No public exploits or active attacks have been reported to date. The vulnerability primarily threatens user privacy by enabling unauthorized tracking or profiling through device fingerprinting techniques. Organizations relying on Apple mobile devices should ensure timely updates to iOS/iPadOS 18.4 or later to mitigate this risk.

For European organizations, the primary impact of this vulnerability is the potential compromise of user privacy and confidentiality. Unauthorized access to persistent device identifiers can facilitate user tracking, profiling, and correlation of user activities across applications, which may violate GDPR and other privacy regulations prevalent in Europe. This could lead to regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and loss of user trust. While the vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, the exposure of sensitive device identifiers can be leveraged in targeted attacks or surveillance campaigns, especially against high-value targets or privacy-conscious users. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, which often use Apple devices, may face increased risk. The requirement for user interaction and local access somewhat limits the attack vector, but social engineering or malicious app distribution could still enable exploitation. Therefore, the impact is significant in terms of privacy compliance and user data protection obligations within the European context.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigation measures: 1) Immediately update all iOS and iPadOS devices to version 18.4 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed. 2) Enforce strict mobile device management (MDM) policies to control app installations and restrict apps from untrusted sources, minimizing the risk of malicious apps exploiting this vulnerability. 3) Educate users about the risks of installing unverified applications and the importance of user interaction in exploitation scenarios to reduce social engineering risks. 4) Monitor device logs and network traffic for unusual access patterns or attempts to read device identifiers. 5) Review and tighten app permission policies, especially for apps requesting access to device identifiers or related APIs. 6) Conduct regular privacy impact assessments to ensure compliance with GDPR and other regulations concerning device fingerprinting and tracking. 7) Coordinate with Apple support and security advisories to stay informed about any emerging threats or additional patches related to this vulnerability.