CVE-2025-30438 in visionOS
Summary
by MITRE • 04/01/2025
This issue was addressed with improved access restrictions. This issue is fixed in visionOS 2.4, macOS Ventura 13.7.5, tvOS 18.4, iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4, macOS Sequoia 15.4, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5. A malicious app may be able to dismiss the system notification on the Lock Screen that a recording was started.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/28/2025
This vulnerability represents a significant security flaw in Apple's operating systems that could enable malicious applications to interfere with critical system notifications. The issue specifically affects the Lock Screen notification behavior when recording activities are detected, creating a potential vector for unauthorized interference with system security mechanisms. The vulnerability was addressed through enhanced access restrictions implemented across multiple Apple platforms including visionOS 2.4, macOS Ventura 13.7.5, tvOS 18.4, iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, macOS Sequoia 15.4, and macOS Sonoma 14.7.5.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient access controls governing system notification dismissal mechanisms on locked devices. When a recording activity is detected, the system typically displays a persistent notification on the Lock Screen to alert users of potential privacy violations. However, the vulnerability allowed a malicious application to bypass these protections and dismiss the notification, effectively concealing recording activities from users. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and undermines the fundamental security model designed to protect user privacy and system integrity.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple notification interference, as it directly compromises user privacy and system security. Users relying on Lock Screen notifications to detect unauthorized recording activities could be deceived into believing their privacy is intact when in fact malicious applications are actively dismissing these critical alerts. This creates a false sense of security and potentially enables prolonged unauthorized surveillance activities. The vulnerability affects all Apple devices running the affected operating system versions, making it a widespread concern across the Apple ecosystem. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Insecure Resource, specifically involving improper access control to system-level notifications and user privacy mechanisms.
The mitigation strategy implemented by Apple focuses on strengthening access restrictions and privilege controls for system notification management. The fixes deployed in the updated operating system versions enforce stricter controls over which applications can interact with Lock Screen notifications, preventing malicious applications from dismissing critical privacy alerts. This approach aligns with ATT&CK framework techniques related to privilege escalation and defense evasion, where the fix addresses the specific technique of using unauthorized access to bypass security controls. Organizations and users should prioritize updating to the patched versions to ensure protection against this specific threat vector that could enable covert surveillance activities. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining robust access controls for system-level notifications, particularly those related to user privacy and security monitoring functions.