CVE-2025-46276 is an information disclosure vulnerability affecting Apple iOS and iPadOS platforms, including related operating systems such as watchOS, macOS, and visionOS. The flaw allows an application with limited privileges (local access and requiring some level of privilege but no user interaction) to access sensitive user data that should otherwise be protected by privacy controls. The vulnerability stems from insufficient enforcement of privacy boundaries within the OS, enabling apps to bypass restrictions and read data they are not authorized to access. Apple addressed this issue by enhancing privacy controls in the affected OS versions, including iOS 18.7.3, iOS 26.2, iPadOS 18.7.3, macOS Sonoma 14.8.3, and others. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 3.3, reflecting low severity due to the requirement of local privileges and no impact on integrity or availability. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, suggesting limited active exploitation. The vulnerability affects unspecified versions prior to the patched releases, and the exact data types exposed have not been detailed publicly. This vulnerability highlights the importance of strict privacy enforcement in mobile OS environments where apps can request extensive permissions.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-46276 is a potential confidentiality breach where sensitive user data on Apple devices could be accessed by malicious or compromised apps. While the vulnerability does not affect data integrity or system availability, unauthorized data access could lead to privacy violations, exposure of personal or corporate information, and potential compliance issues under GDPR and other privacy regulations. Organizations with employees using Apple mobile devices for work, especially in sectors handling sensitive data such as finance, healthcare, and government, may face increased risk. However, the low severity and absence of known exploits reduce the immediate threat level. The impact is more pronounced in environments where device management policies allow installation of third-party apps without strict vetting or where users have elevated privileges. Overall, the risk is moderate but warrants timely patching to prevent potential data leakage.

European organizations should prioritize updating all affected Apple devices to the patched OS versions listed by Apple (iOS 18.7.3, iOS 26.2, iPadOS 18.7.3, macOS Sonoma 14.8.3, watchOS 26.2, etc.) as soon as possible. Device management solutions should enforce update policies to ensure compliance. Additionally, organizations should implement strict app vetting and control mechanisms, such as restricting app installations to trusted sources and using Mobile Device Management (MDM) to limit app permissions. Monitoring for unusual app behavior or data access patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. User privilege levels should be minimized to reduce the risk of local privilege exploitation. Educating users about the risks of installing untrusted apps and maintaining strong endpoint security controls will further reduce exposure. Finally, organizations should review privacy settings and audit access logs for sensitive data on Apple devices to identify potential unauthorized access.