CVE-2025-31262 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting Apple's visionOS, as well as iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, macOS Sequoia 15.3, watchOS 11.3, and tvOS 18.3. The vulnerability arises from a permissions issue that allows an application with limited privileges (requiring low privileges and no user interaction) to modify protected parts of the file system. This is classified under CWE-732, which refers to incorrect permission assignment for critical resources. The vulnerability does not impact confidentiality or availability but has a significant impact on integrity, as unauthorized modification of protected filesystem areas could lead to tampering with system files or application data. The CVSS vector indicates the attack requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), and privileges (PR:L), but no user interaction (UI:N). The scope is unchanged (S:U), meaning the impact is confined to the vulnerable component. The issue has been addressed by Apple in visionOS 2.3 and the corresponding OS updates for other Apple platforms. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild. The vulnerability could be exploited by malicious apps or attackers with local access to escalate their ability to alter protected filesystem areas, potentially undermining system integrity or enabling persistence mechanisms.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability depends largely on the extent to which Apple visionOS and related Apple platforms are used within their environments. Organizations that deploy Apple devices for development, design, or operational purposes—especially those using visionOS devices—may face risks of unauthorized modification of critical system files by malicious or compromised applications. This could lead to integrity violations, potentially enabling attackers to install persistent malware, alter system behavior, or compromise application data. While the vulnerability does not directly affect confidentiality or availability, integrity breaches can indirectly lead to broader security incidents. Sectors such as technology firms, creative industries, and enterprises adopting Apple’s visionOS for augmented reality or mixed reality applications may be particularly exposed. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks against high-value assets or intellectual property stored or processed on affected devices.

European organizations should ensure that all Apple devices, particularly those running visionOS and the specified OS versions, are updated promptly to the patched versions (visionOS 2.3, iOS/iPadOS 18.3, macOS Sequoia 15.3, watchOS 11.3, tvOS 18.3). Beyond patching, organizations should implement strict application vetting and deployment policies to limit installation of untrusted or unsigned apps, especially on visionOS devices. Employing Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to enforce app whitelisting and permission restrictions can reduce the risk of malicious apps exploiting this vulnerability. Monitoring for unusual filesystem modifications and employing endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools capable of detecting unauthorized changes to protected system areas can provide early warning of exploitation attempts. Additionally, restricting local access to devices and enforcing strong physical security controls will reduce the likelihood of local exploitation, as the attack vector requires local access with low privileges. Finally, educating users about the risks of installing untrusted applications and maintaining robust incident response plans will further enhance resilience.