Analysis Summary

Apple has fixed two security flaws in iOS and iPadOS releases; one of these flaws might have enabled the VoiceOver assistive technology to read out user passwords aloud.

The flaw, identified as CVE-2024-44204, affects a variety of iPhones and iPads and is characterized as a logic error in the updated Passwords app. VoiceOver can read aloud passwords that a user has saved. Improved validation allowed for its resolution. The following devices are affected by the flaw:

• iPhone XS and subsequent models
• Third-generation and later iPad Pro 12.9-inch and 13-inch models
• First-generation iPad Pro 11-inch and later
• Third-generation iPad Air and later
• Both iPad mini 5th generation and later, as well as iPad 7th generation and beyond

Apple has also fixed a security flaw (CVE-2024-44207) that affects the recently released iPhone 16 devices and lets audio be recorded before the microphone indicator turns on. It's rooted in the Media Session component. Audio messages in Messages may capture a few seconds of audio before the microphone indication turns on.

The issue had been resolved with better checks. It is recommended that users update to iPadOS 18.0.1 and iOS 18.0.1 to protect their devices from potential threats.

Impact

• Exposure of Sensitive Information
• Security Bypass

Indicators of Compromise

CVE

• CVE-2024-44204
• CVE-2024-44207

Affected Vendors

Remediation

• Refer to the Apple Security Document for patch, upgrade, or suggested workaround information.
• Organizations must test their assets for the vulnerabilities mentioned above and apply the available security patch or mitigation steps as soon as possible.
• Implement multi-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security to login processes.
• Regularly monitor network activity for any unusual behavior, as this may indicate that a cyberattack is underway.
• Organizations must stay vigilant and follow best practices for cybersecurity to protect their systems and data from potential threats. This includes regularly updating software and implementing strong access controls and monitoring tools.
• Develop a comprehensive incident response plan to respond effectively in case of a security breach or data leakage.
• Maintain regular backups of critical data and systems to ensure data recovery in case of a security incident.
• Adhere to security best practices, including the principle of least privilege, and ensure that users and applications have only the necessary permissions.
• Establish a robust patch management process to ensure that security patches are evaluated, tested, and applied promptly.
• Conduct security audits and assessments to evaluate the overall security posture of your systems and networks.
• Implement network segmentation to contain and isolate potential threats to limit their impact on critical systems.