CVE-2025-46286 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 01/10/2026
A logic issue was addressed with improved validation. This issue is fixed in iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2. Restoring from a backup may prevent passcode from being required immediately after Face ID enrollment.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-46286 represents a logic flaw in the iOS and iPadOS authentication mechanisms that affects the passcode requirement following Face ID enrollment. This issue stems from insufficient validation controls during the device restoration process, creating a potential security gap that could allow unauthorized access to devices with biometric authentication enabled. The flaw specifically manifests when users restore their devices from backups, which can bypass the expected security protocols that normally require immediate passcode entry after Face ID setup.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a failure in the authentication flow validation logic within the operating system's security framework. When a device is restored from a backup, the system does not properly enforce the mandatory passcode requirement that should occur immediately after Face ID enrollment. This creates a window of opportunity where an attacker with physical access to the device could potentially bypass the passcode protection mechanism. The vulnerability demonstrates a weakness in the device's trust boundary management, where the restoration process does not adequately validate the security context of the authentication state.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple convenience issues, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of devices that rely on Face ID for authentication. Attackers could exploit this flaw to gain immediate access to devices that have been restored from backups without requiring the passcode that should normally be enforced. This represents a significant risk to user privacy and data protection, particularly in environments where devices contain sensitive corporate or personal information. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and could potentially be leveraged to achieve privilege escalation or unauthorized data access.
Security researchers have identified that this vulnerability can be exploited through legitimate device restoration procedures, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where device management is critical. The fix implemented in iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 addresses the validation logic to ensure that passcode requirements are properly enforced regardless of whether a device is restored from backup. Organizations should prioritize updating affected systems to prevent exploitation, as the vulnerability could be used in targeted attacks against specific users or devices. The remediation approach follows industry best practices for authentication flow validation and demonstrates the importance of maintaining consistent security controls throughout the device lifecycle.
This vulnerability highlights the complexity of modern mobile security architectures and the challenges of maintaining consistent authentication requirements across different operational states. The issue demonstrates how seemingly minor logic flaws in authentication systems can create significant security risks, particularly when device restoration processes are not properly validated against security policies. The remediation process involves strengthening the validation controls within the operating system's security framework to ensure that authentication requirements are consistently enforced, regardless of how the device state is transitioned. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in their device management processes and ensure that backup and restore procedures maintain appropriate security controls.