CVE-2025-30425 is a vulnerability identified in Apple’s Safari browser on tvOS and other Apple operating systems that allows a malicious website to track users despite the use of Safari's private browsing mode. Private browsing is intended to prevent websites from storing browsing history, cookies, or other data that can be used to track user activity. However, this vulnerability arises from improper state management within Safari’s private browsing implementation, which can be exploited by a malicious website to circumvent these protections and track users across browsing sessions. The vulnerability affects multiple Apple platforms, including tvOS, iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, with affected versions unspecified but fixed in recent updates (tvOS 18.4, Safari 18.4, iPadOS 17.7.6, iOS 18.4, macOS Sequoia 15.4). The CVSS 3.1 base score is 4.3 (medium severity), reflecting that the attack vector is network-based, requires no privileges, and only minimal user interaction (visiting a malicious site). The impact is limited to confidentiality as the attacker can track users but cannot alter data or disrupt service. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild. The underlying weakness is categorized under CWE-284 (Improper Access Control), indicating that the browser’s access control mechanisms for private browsing state were insufficient. The fix involved improved state management to ensure that private browsing truly isolates user activity from tracking mechanisms.

For European organizations, the primary impact is the erosion of user privacy and confidentiality. Organizations relying on Apple devices, especially Apple TV for media streaming or Safari for web access, may face risks of user tracking by malicious websites, which could lead to profiling, targeted phishing, or surveillance. This is particularly concerning for sectors handling sensitive or regulated data, such as media companies, financial institutions, and government agencies. Although the vulnerability does not allow data modification or service disruption, the ability to track users in private browsing mode undermines trust in privacy features and could have compliance implications under GDPR if personal data is indirectly exposed or misused. The risk is amplified in environments where private browsing is used to protect sensitive browsing activities. Since the vulnerability requires user interaction (visiting a malicious site), phishing or social engineering campaigns could be used to exploit it. The lack of known exploits in the wild suggests limited immediate threat but patching is essential to prevent future abuse.

European organizations should prioritize deploying the security updates released by Apple for tvOS 18.4, Safari 18.4, iPadOS 17.7.6, iOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4 to ensure the vulnerability is remediated. Until patches are applied, users should be advised to avoid visiting untrusted or suspicious websites, even in private browsing mode. Network-level protections such as web filtering and DNS filtering can help block access to known malicious domains. Organizations should also educate users about the limitations of private browsing and the risks of interacting with unknown web content. Monitoring network traffic for unusual patterns related to tracking scripts or fingerprinting techniques can provide early detection of exploitation attempts. For high-risk environments, consider restricting or auditing the use of Apple TV devices and Safari browsers until fully patched. Finally, ensure that privacy policies and incident response plans account for potential privacy breaches stemming from browser-based tracking.