CVE-2024-40813: Apple iPadOS Information Disclosure Flaw

CVE-2024-40813 Overview

A lock screen vulnerability exists in Apple iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS that allows an attacker with physical access to a device to bypass lock screen protections and use Siri to access sensitive user data. The issue stems from improper state management in the lock screen functionality, which fails to properly restrict Siri capabilities when the device is locked.

Critical Impact

An attacker with physical access to an affected Apple device can leverage Siri to access sensitive user data without authentication, potentially exposing personal information, contacts, messages, and other private data.

Affected Products

• Apple iOS versions prior to 17.6
• Apple iPadOS versions prior to 17.6
• Apple watchOS versions prior to 10.6

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-07-29 - CVE-2024-40813 published to NVD
• 2025-11-04 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-40813

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-922 (Insecure Storage of Sensitive Information), indicating that the lock screen state management does not properly protect sensitive data accessible through Siri when the device is locked. The flaw allows unauthorized information disclosure through the voice assistant interface.

The vulnerability requires physical access to exploit, limiting the attack surface to scenarios where an adversary has direct access to the target device. However, once physical access is obtained, no privileges or user interaction are required to carry out the attack. The confidentiality impact is high, as sensitive user data can be exposed, though the integrity and availability of the system remain unaffected.

Root Cause

The root cause lies in improper state management within the lock screen functionality of iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS. When a device is locked, the operating system should restrict Siri's access to sensitive data. However, due to flawed state management logic, certain Siri queries can still access protected user information even when the device lock screen is active. This represents a breakdown in the authentication boundary that should prevent unauthorized access to personal data.

Attack Vector

The attack requires physical proximity to the target device. An attacker must have hands-on access to an unlocked or locked Apple device running a vulnerable version of iOS, iPadOS, or watchOS. The exploitation process involves:

1. Obtaining physical access to the target device
2. Activating Siri through the "Hey Siri" voice command or by pressing and holding the side/home button
3. Issuing voice commands to Siri that request access to sensitive user data
4. Receiving information that should be protected by the lock screen

The vulnerability bypasses lock screen protections by exploiting the improper state management, allowing Siri to respond with sensitive information that would normally require device unlock authentication.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-40813

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected Siri activations detected in device logs when the device is locked
• User reports of unauthorized access to their personal information
• Evidence of physical tampering or unauthorized physical access to devices
• Siri query logs showing sensitive data requests during locked states

Detection Strategies

• Monitor device management logs for Siri activation patterns during locked states
• Implement Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to track unauthorized device access attempts
• Deploy endpoint protection that can detect anomalous Siri behavior patterns
• Review security audit logs for indicators of lock screen bypass attempts

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable comprehensive logging on managed Apple devices through MDM profiles
• Configure alerts for unusual Siri activity patterns during device lock states
• Implement physical security controls to restrict unauthorized device access
• Conduct regular device security audits to verify patch compliance

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-40813

Immediate Actions Required

• Update all affected Apple devices to iOS 17.6, iPadOS 17.6, or watchOS 10.6 immediately
• Consider disabling Siri on the lock screen as a temporary measure until patches are applied
• Implement physical security controls to prevent unauthorized access to devices
• Review and restrict which data Siri can access in device privacy settings

Patch Information

Apple has released security updates to address this vulnerability. Users and administrators should update to the following versions:

• iOS 17.6 - Available via Settings > General > Software Update
• iPadOS 17.6 - Available via Settings > General > Software Update
• watchOS 10.6 - Available via the Watch app on paired iPhone

For detailed patch information, refer to the Apple Security Support Document and Apple Security Patch Release.

Workarounds

• Disable Siri on the lock screen: Navigate to Settings > Siri & Search > Allow Siri When Locked and toggle off
• Enable stricter authentication requirements for Siri data access
• Implement physical security policies to prevent unauthorized device access
• Consider device supervision through MDM to enforce security configurations

# MDM Configuration Profile Example for Disabling Siri on Lock Screen
# Deploy through Apple Configurator or MDM solution
# Key: allowAssistantWhileLocked
# Value: false

# Verify iOS version on managed devices
# Check that all devices are running iOS 17.6 or later
mdmctl query devices --filter "os.version < 17.6"