CVE-2023-41982 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
This issue was addressed by restricting options offered on a locked device. This issue is fixed in macOS Sonoma 14.1, watchOS 10.1, iOS 16.7.2 and iPadOS 16.7.2, iOS 17.1 and iPadOS 17.1. An attacker with physical access may be able to use Siri to access sensitive user data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/17/2023
This vulnerability represents a significant security flaw in Apple's mobile operating systems where the restriction mechanisms for locked devices were insufficiently enforced. The issue specifically relates to how Siri functionality operates when a device is secured, creating a potential avenue for unauthorized data access. The flaw exists in the authentication and authorization controls that govern what services remain accessible after a device locks, particularly when voice commands are processed through Siri. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of inadequate access control mechanisms and can be classified as a weakness in the system's security architecture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the failure to properly isolate Siri's capabilities when a device is locked. When a device locks, legitimate security protocols should prevent access to sensitive data and functions, yet this flaw allows Siri to process commands that could potentially reveal user information or access restricted areas of the device. The vulnerability specifically impacts the execution context where voice processing occurs, bypassing normal security boundaries that should exist between the lock screen and active application access. This represents a failure in the principle of least privilege where services should be restricted based on authentication state and security context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is particularly concerning given the nature of physical access attacks and the widespread use of Apple devices. An attacker with physical access to a locked device can exploit this weakness by using Siri commands to access sensitive user data without proper authentication. This creates a scenario where personal information, messages, photos, and other confidential data could be exposed through voice commands that are processed by the system even when the device appears to be secure. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal technical skill and can be executed through simple voice interactions that are designed to be user-friendly but become security risks when the device is locked.
The remediation for this vulnerability required Apple to implement more robust restrictions on Siri functionality when devices are locked, ensuring that voice processing capabilities are properly isolated from sensitive data access. The fix involved updating the security controls that govern how system services interact with user input when authentication is required. This represents a standard security patch approach where the vendor addresses the specific weakness in access control enforcement. The solution aligns with common security practices for mitigating privilege escalation attacks and demonstrates the importance of maintaining proper security boundaries even in user-facing services like voice assistants. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader mobile device security posture assessment and ensure all affected devices are updated to the patched versions.
This vulnerability demonstrates a critical aspect of modern security where user convenience features can introduce security risks when proper access controls are not maintained. The flaw highlights the need for comprehensive security testing that considers all interaction points, including voice-based interfaces, when devices are in locked states. From a compliance perspective, this issue could impact organizations that must maintain strict data protection standards, as it represents a potential breach of security controls that protect sensitive information. The vulnerability also serves as an example of how security controls must be evaluated in real-world usage scenarios where physical access combined with legitimate user features can create unexpected attack vectors.