CVE-2025-31192 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE • 04/01/2025
The issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in Safari 18.4, iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4, macOS Sequoia 15.4. A website may be able to access sensor information without user consent.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-31192 represents a significant privacy and security concern within Apple's Safari browser and related operating systems. This issue stems from inadequate authorization controls that allow malicious websites to access sensitive sensor information without proper user consent. The flaw specifically affects the browser's handling of sensor data access permissions, creating a potential pathway for unauthorized data collection that could compromise user privacy and device security. The vulnerability manifests when websites can bypass normal permission prompts and directly access sensor information, which may include location data, accelerometer readings, gyroscope information, or other device sensor inputs that users would typically expect to be protected by explicit consent mechanisms.
Technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves leveraging weaknesses in the browser's sensor access controls and permission validation systems. The issue likely resides in how Safari processes sensor data requests and validates user permissions, potentially allowing websites to circumvent the standard consent flow that should require explicit user interaction before accessing such sensitive device capabilities. This type of flaw aligns with CWE-613, which addresses inadequate validation of persistent tokens or access controls, and may also relate to CWE-284, concerning improper access control mechanisms. The vulnerability represents a failure in the principle of least privilege and user consent enforcement that should be fundamental to secure browser implementations.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-31192 extends beyond simple privacy concerns to encompass potential security risks for users who may unknowingly expose sensitive device information. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to gather detailed information about user locations, movement patterns, device orientation, and other sensor data that could be used for tracking, profiling, or more sophisticated attacks. The implications are particularly severe given that sensor data often provides rich contextual information that can be combined with other data points to create comprehensive user profiles. This vulnerability affects not just individual users but also organizations that rely on Safari for secure browsing operations, as it undermines the trust model that should exist between users and their browser environments. The impact is further amplified when considering that mobile devices and tablets often serve as primary access points for sensitive personal and professional information.
Apple's resolution of this vulnerability through updates to Safari 18.4, iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4 demonstrates the company's commitment to addressing security gaps in their ecosystem. The fix likely involves enhanced permission validation mechanisms, improved sensor access controls, and strengthened user consent enforcement for sensor data requests. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of these updates to protect their users from potential exploitation of this vulnerability. Security teams should also implement monitoring for any suspicious sensor data access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly in environments where device security is paramount. The remediation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1217, which involves the exploitation of system vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, and emphasizes the importance of keeping browser software updated to protect against known security gaps. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of robust access control mechanisms and user consent enforcement in modern web browsers, particularly as devices become increasingly interconnected and sensor-rich.