CVE-2025-30439 is a vulnerability identified in Apple’s iOS, iPadOS, visionOS, and macOS Sequoia operating systems that allows an attacker with physical access to a locked device to bypass certain security checks and view sensitive user information. The root cause is insufficient validation or enforcement of access controls on locked devices, which leads to unauthorized data disclosure (classified under CWE-200: Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor). The vulnerability does not require any authentication or user interaction, making it particularly concerning in scenarios where devices are lost, stolen, or temporarily unattended. Apple has addressed the issue by implementing improved checks in the affected OS versions: iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, visionOS 2.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4. The CVSS v3.1 score of 4.6 reflects a medium severity, primarily due to the attack vector being physical access (AV:P), no privileges required (PR:N), and no user interaction (UI:N), with a high impact on confidentiality (C:H) but no impact on integrity or availability. No public exploits have been reported, indicating the vulnerability is not yet actively exploited in the wild. This vulnerability is significant for environments where Apple devices are used to store sensitive information and where physical security controls may be insufficient. Attackers could leverage this flaw to extract confidential data without needing to unlock the device or bypass authentication mechanisms.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information if devices are physically accessed by malicious actors. This could lead to data breaches involving personal data, intellectual property, or confidential communications, potentially violating GDPR and other data protection regulations. The impact is especially critical in sectors such as government, finance, healthcare, and enterprises where Apple devices are widely used and contain sensitive information. The vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, but the confidentiality breach alone can result in reputational damage, regulatory fines, and operational disruptions. Organizations with mobile workforces or those that allow employees to use personal Apple devices for work (BYOD) are particularly vulnerable. The lack of required authentication or user interaction for exploitation increases the risk in environments with lax physical security controls or where devices are left unattended.

1. Immediately update all affected Apple devices to the patched versions: iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, visionOS 2.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4. 2. Enforce strict physical security policies to prevent unauthorized access to devices, including secure storage and controlled access areas. 3. Implement device management solutions (e.g., Apple MDM) to enforce encryption, lock screen policies, and remote wipe capabilities. 4. Educate employees about the risks of leaving devices unattended and the importance of reporting lost or stolen devices promptly. 5. Use additional authentication mechanisms such as biometric locks and strong passcodes to complement OS-level protections. 6. Regularly audit device compliance and physical security controls, especially for devices handling sensitive data. 7. Consider disabling or restricting features that could expose sensitive data on the lock screen, such as notifications or widgets. 8. For high-risk environments, consider hardware security modules or secure enclave features to further protect sensitive information. These measures collectively reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation and limit the potential damage if a device is physically compromised.