CVE-2025-30468 is a vulnerability identified in Apple’s iOS and iPadOS platforms that allows unauthorized access to Private Browsing tabs without requiring authentication. The root cause is improper state management within the browser's private mode, which fails to adequately isolate private browsing sessions from unauthorized access. This flaw enables an attacker with physical or remote access to the device to view private browsing tabs, potentially exposing sensitive browsing history, credentials, or session data. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.5, indicating a medium severity level. The vector metrics (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N) show that the attack can be performed remotely over the network without privileges or user interaction, affecting confidentiality and integrity but not availability. Apple addressed this issue in iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 by improving state management to ensure private browsing tabs remain inaccessible without proper authentication. No public exploits have been reported, but the vulnerability poses a privacy risk, especially in environments where devices may be shared, lost, or stolen. The CWE-1390 classification relates to improper state management, highlighting the importance of secure session handling in mobile browsers.

For European organizations, this vulnerability primarily threatens the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive browsing data accessed via Apple mobile devices. Employees using iPhones or iPads for work could inadvertently expose private browsing sessions if devices are compromised, lost, or stolen, potentially leaking corporate credentials, confidential research, or browsing habits. This risk is heightened in sectors with strict data privacy requirements such as finance, healthcare, and government. Although the vulnerability does not allow system-level compromise or denial of service, the exposure of private browsing data could facilitate targeted phishing, social engineering, or further lateral attacks. The lack of required user interaction and privileges means attackers could exploit this vulnerability remotely if they gain network access to the device. The medium severity rating reflects a moderate but tangible risk to organizational privacy and data protection compliance under regulations like GDPR.

The primary mitigation is to update all affected Apple devices to iOS 26 or iPadOS 26, where the vulnerability has been fixed through improved state management. Organizations should enforce strict mobile device management (MDM) policies requiring timely OS updates and patch compliance. Additionally, enforcing strong device-level authentication such as biometric locks or complex passcodes will reduce unauthorized physical access risks. Disabling Private Browsing mode in managed browsers or restricting its use on corporate devices can further limit exposure. Network-level protections such as VPNs and zero-trust access models can reduce the likelihood of remote exploitation. Regular security awareness training should emphasize the risks of device loss and the importance of locking devices. Finally, monitoring for unusual access patterns or unauthorized device usage can help detect exploitation attempts early.