CVE-2025-30470 is a vulnerability identified in Apple’s iOS and iPadOS platforms, as well as related operating systems such as macOS Ventura, macOS Sequoia, macOS Sonoma, and visionOS. The root cause is a path handling issue classified under CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory), which allows an application to bypass intended access controls and read sensitive location information stored or accessible on the device. The vulnerability does not require elevated privileges (PR:N) but does require user interaction (UI:R), indicating that a user must perform some action such as installing or running a malicious app. The attack complexity is low (AC:L), meaning exploitation is straightforward once the user interaction occurs. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5, reflecting a medium severity level primarily due to the confidentiality impact (C:H), with no impact on integrity or availability. The vulnerability could allow malicious apps to access location data without explicit permission, potentially compromising user privacy and enabling tracking or profiling. Apple has released patches in iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, macOS Ventura 13.7.5, macOS Sequoia 15.4, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5, and visionOS 2.4 to address this issue by improving the path handling logic. No public exploits or active exploitation have been reported to date. The vulnerability is particularly relevant for organizations relying on Apple devices for sensitive operations or those subject to strict data privacy regulations.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-30470 is the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive location information, which can lead to privacy violations and potential regulatory non-compliance under GDPR. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure that use Apple devices for mobile operations or employee communications could face risks of location data leakage. This could facilitate targeted attacks, physical tracking of personnel, or exposure of confidential operational locations. Although the vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, the confidentiality breach alone can have serious reputational and legal consequences. The requirement for user interaction means social engineering or malicious app distribution could be vectors for exploitation. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits post-disclosure. European organizations should prioritize patching and monitoring to mitigate potential exploitation.

1. Apply the latest Apple security updates immediately across all affected devices, including iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, macOS Ventura 13.7.5, macOS Sequoia 15.4, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5, and visionOS 2.4. 2. Enforce strict app installation policies, limiting installations to trusted sources such as the Apple App Store and using Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to control app permissions. 3. Restrict location services permissions on devices, ensuring apps only have access to location data when absolutely necessary and with explicit user consent. 4. Educate users on the risks of installing untrusted applications and the importance of cautious interaction with app prompts requesting location access. 5. Monitor device logs and network traffic for unusual access patterns or data exfiltration attempts related to location services. 6. Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools capable of identifying suspicious app behaviors on Apple devices. 7. Review and update privacy policies and incident response plans to address potential location data breaches. 8. Consider network segmentation and use of VPNs to protect sensitive communications from location-based correlation attacks.