CVE-2025-31214 is a vulnerability identified in Apple’s iOS and iPadOS platforms, fixed in version 18.5, that allows an attacker positioned with privileged network access to intercept network traffic. The root cause is related to improper state management within the network stack, classified under CWE-300 (Channel Accessible by Non-Endpoint). This flaw enables an attacker to eavesdrop on communications by exploiting the way network states are handled, potentially capturing sensitive data transmitted by the device. The vulnerability requires the attacker to have network-level privileges, such as being on the same local network or controlling a network node through which the traffic passes. No user interaction is necessary, increasing the risk of silent interception. The CVSS v3.1 score of 8.1 indicates a high severity, with attack vector being network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring privileges (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), high confidentiality impact (C:H), no integrity impact (I:N), and high availability impact (A:H). Although no known exploits are reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk to confidentiality and availability of network communications on affected Apple devices. The fix involves improved state management in the network stack, preventing unauthorized interception of traffic.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant threat to the confidentiality of sensitive data transmitted over networks by iOS and iPadOS devices. Organizations relying on Apple mobile devices for communication, remote work, or critical operations could have their network traffic intercepted by attackers with privileged network access, such as malicious insiders or compromised network infrastructure. The availability impact could manifest as network disruptions or denial of service if the attacker exploits the flaw to interfere with traffic handling. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure are particularly at risk due to the sensitivity of their communications and regulatory requirements around data protection. The vulnerability could also undermine trust in mobile communications and complicate compliance with GDPR and other privacy regulations if intercepted data includes personal or confidential information. The lack of required user interaction means attacks could occur stealthily, increasing the risk of undetected data breaches.

European organizations should prioritize upgrading all affected Apple devices to iOS and iPadOS version 18.5 or later to apply the official patch. Network segmentation and strict access controls should be implemented to limit privileged network positions, reducing the risk of attackers gaining the necessary network vantage point. Employing strong encryption protocols such as TLS 1.3 for all communications can mitigate interception risks even if network traffic is captured. Monitoring network traffic for anomalies and deploying intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also enforce strict policies on network device security and regularly audit network infrastructure to prevent unauthorized access. Employee training on network security hygiene and awareness of insider threats can further reduce risk. Finally, leveraging VPNs and zero-trust network architectures can minimize exposure of sensitive traffic to privileged network attackers.