CVE-2024-40840 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 09/17/2024
This issue was addressed through improved state management. This issue is fixed in iOS 18 and iPadOS 18. 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 • 09/26/2024
This vulnerability represents a significant security flaw in Apple's iOS and iPadOS operating systems that could potentially allow unauthorized access to sensitive user data through the voice-activated Siri assistant. The issue specifically arises from inadequate state management within the system's handling of voice commands and user interactions, creating a potential attack vector for adversaries with physical access to affected devices. The vulnerability affects versions prior to iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, indicating that Apple identified and addressed the flaw through enhanced state management protocols within their software updates. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of physical access attacks where an attacker can exploit the device's interface to gain unauthorized information disclosure. The security implications extend beyond simple data exposure as the flaw could potentially enable more sophisticated attacks that leverage the voice interface to bypass normal authentication mechanisms or access protected system functions. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-215, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper state management, and represents a critical weakness in the system's ability to maintain secure operational states during interactive sessions.
The technical flaw manifests through improper handling of the device's operational state when Siri is activated, particularly in scenarios where physical access is present. Attackers can exploit this weakness to potentially access sensitive user data without proper authentication, leveraging the voice interface as an attack vector. The issue demonstrates how seemingly benign features like voice assistants can become security risks when state management protocols are insufficiently implemented. The vulnerability's exploitation requires physical access to the device, which places it within the ATT&CK framework's category of privilege escalation through physical access, specifically under techniques related to device manipulation and information gathering. This type of attack represents a sophisticated approach to bypassing traditional security controls, as voice interfaces often operate with elevated privileges and may not subject users to the same authentication checks as standard application interfaces.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends to all users of affected iOS and iPadOS versions, creating potential exposure for personal and potentially sensitive business data stored on these devices. Organizations that rely on Apple devices for employee productivity face increased risk of data leakage through this vector, particularly in environments where physical security controls may be insufficient. The vulnerability's remediation through iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 updates demonstrates Apple's approach to addressing state management issues through comprehensive system updates that restructure how the operating system maintains and transitions between different security states. The fix likely involves enhanced session management protocols that properly validate the device's security context before allowing access to sensitive data through voice interfaces. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability represents a common pattern in mobile operating systems where interface components like voice assistants are not adequately protected from physical access attacks, highlighting the need for comprehensive security reviews of all user interaction points.
Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 updates to address this vulnerability, particularly in environments where physical security controls may be compromised. The remediation process should include thorough testing to ensure that the updated state management protocols do not introduce compatibility issues with existing applications or enterprise security configurations. Security teams should implement monitoring for potential exploitation attempts through voice interfaces and consider additional physical security measures for devices in high-risk environments. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper state management in mobile operating systems and the need for comprehensive security testing of all interactive components. This case study demonstrates how vulnerabilities can emerge from the interaction between different system components and highlights the critical role that state management plays in maintaining overall system security. The fix implemented by Apple represents a standard approach to addressing such issues through improved state validation and session handling protocols that prevent unauthorized access through legitimate user interface components.