CVE-2025-46292 is a vulnerability in Apple’s iOS and iPadOS operating systems that allows an application to access user-sensitive data improperly due to insufficient entitlement checks. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-284, which relates to improper access control. Specifically, the flaw permits an app, without requiring privileges, to bypass certain entitlement restrictions and gain access to sensitive user information. Exploitation requires user interaction, such as installing or running a malicious app. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality by exposing sensitive data but does not affect data integrity or system availability. Apple has addressed this issue by implementing additional entitlement checks in iOS and iPadOS versions 26.2 and 18.7.3. Although no exploits have been observed in the wild, the medium CVSS score of 5.5 reflects the moderate risk posed by this vulnerability. The attack vector is local (AV:L), meaning the attacker must have local access to the device, and no privileges are required (PR:N). User interaction (UI:R) is necessary, and the scope remains unchanged (S:U). This vulnerability highlights the importance of strict entitlement enforcement in mobile operating systems to protect user data privacy.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized access to sensitive user data on iOS and iPadOS devices, which are widely used in both consumer and enterprise environments. The exposure of sensitive data can lead to privacy violations, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR), and potential reputational damage. Enterprises relying on Apple mobile devices for communication, data access, or business applications may face data leakage risks if unpatched devices are exploited. Although the vulnerability requires user interaction and local access, targeted attacks via malicious apps distributed through less controlled channels or social engineering could compromise confidential information. The lack of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits over time. Organizations handling sensitive personal or corporate data should consider this vulnerability significant enough to warrant prompt remediation to maintain data confidentiality and compliance with European data protection laws.

1. Immediately update all iOS and iPadOS devices to versions 26.2 or 18.7.3 or later, where the vulnerability is patched. 2. Enforce strict mobile device management (MDM) policies that restrict app installation to trusted sources such as the Apple App Store and block sideloading or installation from unverified sources. 3. Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted applications and the importance of applying system updates promptly. 4. Implement application whitelisting and use enterprise app stores to control which apps can be installed on corporate devices. 5. Monitor device logs and network traffic for unusual activity that may indicate exploitation attempts or data exfiltration. 6. Regularly audit device compliance with security policies and update configurations to enforce entitlement restrictions where possible. 7. Coordinate with legal and compliance teams to ensure data protection measures align with GDPR and other relevant regulations.