CVE-2025-46277 is a privacy-related vulnerability affecting Apple’s iOS and iPadOS platforms, as well as macOS Tahoe and watchOS, fixed in version 26.2 of these operating systems. The root cause is a logging issue where insufficient data redaction allowed an application to access a user’s Safari browsing history. This means that an app, potentially without explicit user consent or appropriate permissions, could retrieve sensitive browsing data, violating user privacy and potentially exposing confidential information. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of log data that inadvertently includes Safari history details. Although the affected versions are unspecified, it is implied that all versions prior to 26.2 are vulnerable. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the vulnerability’s nature suggests that any malicious or compromised app could exploit it without requiring complex attack vectors or user interaction. This vulnerability primarily impacts confidentiality, as browsing history can reveal sensitive personal or corporate information. The fix involves improved data redaction in logging mechanisms to prevent leakage of Safari history data. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Apple devices running the impacted OS versions, including iPhones, iPads, Macs running macOS Tahoe, and Apple Watches. Given the widespread use of Apple devices in both consumer and enterprise environments, the vulnerability poses a significant privacy risk.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-46277 is the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive browsing history data, which can lead to privacy violations and compromise of confidential information. This is particularly critical for sectors handling sensitive data such as finance, healthcare, legal, and government agencies. Exposure of browsing history could facilitate targeted phishing, social engineering, or corporate espionage. Additionally, organizations subject to the EU’s GDPR may face regulatory and compliance risks if user data is improperly accessed or disclosed, potentially resulting in fines and reputational damage. The vulnerability could also undermine trust in corporate mobile device management and security policies. Since Apple devices are widely used across Europe, especially in business environments, the scope of impact is significant. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers may develop exploits once details become public. The vulnerability’s ease of exploitation by any installed app increases the urgency for mitigation. Overall, the impact is a high risk to confidentiality and privacy, with indirect effects on organizational integrity and compliance.

1. Immediately update all Apple devices (iPhones, iPads, Macs running macOS Tahoe, and Apple Watches) to version 26.2 or later to apply the patch that fixes this vulnerability. 2. Enforce strict app vetting and permission policies within enterprise mobile device management (MDM) solutions to limit app capabilities and prevent installation of untrusted applications. 3. Monitor installed apps for unusual behavior or access patterns related to Safari data or logging mechanisms. 4. Educate users about the risks of installing unverified apps and encourage use of official Apple App Store apps only. 5. Implement network-level monitoring to detect anomalous data exfiltration that could indicate exploitation attempts. 6. Review and audit logging configurations to ensure sensitive data is not inadvertently recorded or exposed. 7. For organizations with BYOD policies, enforce compliance checks to ensure devices are updated and secured. 8. Maintain up-to-date inventories of Apple devices and their OS versions to prioritize patch deployment. 9. Coordinate with legal and compliance teams to assess potential GDPR implications and prepare incident response plans in case of data exposure. 10. Stay informed on any emerging exploit reports or additional patches from Apple.