CVE-2025-31213 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Apple macOS and iPadOS systems, specifically related to the iCloud Keychain feature. The vulnerability arises from a logging issue where sensitive information—namely usernames and associated websites stored in a user's iCloud Keychain—may be improperly exposed to applications. This occurs due to insufficient data redaction in logs, allowing an app with limited privileges (requiring some level of user permission but no user interaction) to access confidential credential metadata. Although the vulnerability does not directly expose passwords, the leakage of usernames and website associations can facilitate targeted phishing, credential stuffing, or other social engineering attacks. The vulnerability affects multiple macOS versions including Ventura 13.7.6, Sequoia 15.5, and Sonoma 14.7.6, as well as iPadOS 17.7.7. Apple has addressed this issue by improving data redaction in logging mechanisms. The CVSS 3.1 score of 7.6 reflects the network attack vector with low attack complexity, requiring privileges but no user interaction, and resulting in high confidentiality impact, low integrity impact, and low availability impact. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-532, which relates to exposure of information through log files. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the potential for misuse exists given the sensitive nature of the leaked data.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality of user credential metadata stored in iCloud Keychain. Organizations relying on Apple macOS devices for business operations, especially those handling sensitive or regulated data, could see increased risk of targeted attacks leveraging leaked usernames and website associations. This could lead to credential harvesting, spear phishing, or lateral movement within corporate networks if attackers combine this information with other compromised data. The impact is particularly critical for sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, where credential confidentiality is paramount. Additionally, the exposure of such data could lead to compliance issues under GDPR if personal data is indirectly exposed or if the vulnerability is exploited to gain unauthorized access to personal accounts. Although the vulnerability does not expose passwords directly, the metadata leakage can significantly lower the barrier for attackers to compromise user accounts or escalate privileges.

European organizations should prioritize updating affected Apple devices to the patched versions: macOS Ventura 13.7.6, Sequoia 15.5, Sonoma 14.7.6, and iPadOS 17.7.7. Beyond patching, organizations should audit applications installed on macOS devices to ensure they have minimal privileges and are from trusted sources, reducing the risk of malicious apps exploiting this vulnerability. Implementing strict application whitelisting and endpoint protection can help prevent unauthorized apps from accessing sensitive logs. Additionally, organizations should monitor logs and network traffic for unusual access patterns or data exfiltration attempts related to iCloud Keychain data. User education on phishing risks is also critical, as leaked usernames and websites can be used in targeted social engineering attacks. Finally, organizations should review their logging and data handling policies to ensure sensitive information is adequately protected and redacted in all logs.