CVE-2025-31192 is a vulnerability identified in Apple’s iOS and iPadOS platforms, specifically related to the Safari browser and underlying operating system components that manage sensor data access. The flaw allows a malicious website to bypass user consent mechanisms and access sensor information such as accelerometer, gyroscope, or other device sensors without explicit permission. This unauthorized access can lead to privacy violations, as sensor data can be exploited to infer user behavior, location, or even keystroke patterns. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-305, indicating improper enforcement of security controls related to authorization. Exploitation requires the victim to visit a malicious website, implying user interaction is necessary. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.7, reflecting medium severity with high confidentiality and integrity impacts but low availability impact. The attack vector is network-based, with high attack complexity and requiring low privileges. Apple addressed this issue in Safari 18.4, iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4 by implementing improved permission checks to ensure sensor data cannot be accessed without explicit user consent. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, but the vulnerability poses a significant privacy risk if left unpatched.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a substantial privacy and security risk, especially for sectors handling sensitive data such as finance, healthcare, and government. Unauthorized sensor data access can lead to leakage of confidential information, user profiling, and potential side-channel attacks that compromise data integrity. The breach of sensor data privacy may also violate stringent European data protection regulations like GDPR, exposing organizations to legal and financial penalties. The impact extends to mobile workforce security, as many employees use Apple devices for remote work, increasing the attack surface. Additionally, the trust in Apple devices as secure platforms could be undermined, affecting organizational security postures. The medium severity rating suggests that while the vulnerability is not trivially exploitable, the consequences of exploitation are significant enough to warrant immediate attention.

European organizations should implement a multi-layered mitigation strategy. First and foremost, ensure all Apple devices are updated promptly to iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, Safari 18.4, or macOS Sequoia 15.4 or later to apply the official patch. Enforce strict mobile device management (MDM) policies that restrict installation of untrusted applications and control browser permissions related to sensor access. Educate users about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and encourage cautious browsing behavior. Deploy network security controls such as web filtering and DNS filtering to block access to known malicious domains. Monitor network traffic for unusual patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. For high-risk environments, consider disabling sensor access in browsers where feasible or using browser extensions that manage sensor permissions granularly. Regularly audit device configurations and permissions to ensure compliance with security policies. Finally, maintain an incident response plan that includes procedures for sensor data leakage scenarios.