CVE-2024-44202 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 09/17/2024
An authentication issue was addressed with improved state management. This issue is fixed in Safari 18, iOS 18 and iPadOS 18. Private Browsing tabs may be accessed without authentication.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2026
This vulnerability represents a significant authentication flaw in Apple's Safari browser affecting versions prior to Safari 18, iOS 18, and iPadOS 18. The issue stems from inadequate state management within the browser's private browsing functionality, creating a scenario where unauthorized access can occur. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-287 which deals with improper authentication mechanisms, specifically addressing weak session management and authentication state handling. This flaw allows attackers to potentially access private browsing tabs without proper authentication, undermining the fundamental security premise of private browsing modes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the browser's failure to properly maintain authentication state when transitioning between different browsing contexts. Private browsing tabs typically operate under strict authentication boundaries to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data, but the flawed state management allows for session hijacking or state leakage between different browsing contexts. This issue directly impacts the browser's ability to maintain secure boundaries between authenticated and unauthenticated states, creating a potential attack surface where malicious actors could exploit the inconsistent state handling to gain access to private browsing sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privacy concerns to encompass potential data exposure and session manipulation. Attackers could leverage this flaw to access sensitive information stored in private browsing sessions, including but not limited to browsing history, cookies, cached data, and potentially login credentials or personal information. The implications are particularly severe in environments where users rely on private browsing for sensitive activities such as online banking, confidential communications, or accessing protected corporate resources. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers credential access through session manipulation and state compromise.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate system updates to the latest versions of Safari, iOS, and iPadOS where the issue has been addressed through improved state management protocols. Organizations should implement additional monitoring for unauthorized access attempts and consider deploying network-level controls to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and ensure that all endpoints are properly updated. The fix implemented in the newer versions addresses the root cause through enhanced session management, proper state validation, and strengthened authentication boundaries within the browser's private browsing implementation.