CVE-2024-40830 is a vulnerability identified in Apple’s iOS and iPadOS platforms that allows an application to enumerate the list of installed applications on a user’s device. This enumeration capability can be exploited by a malicious or compromised app to gather information about the user’s installed software, potentially revealing sensitive usage patterns or enabling targeted attacks based on app presence. The vulnerability requires the app to have local privileges (i.e., be installed on the device) but does not require user interaction to exploit. The issue stems from insufficient data protection controls around app installation metadata, which Apple has addressed by enhancing data protection mechanisms in iOS 18 and iPadOS 18. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 3.3, reflecting low severity due to limited confidentiality impact and no impact on integrity or availability. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, indicating the vulnerability is primarily a privacy concern rather than a direct security compromise. The affected versions are unspecified but presumably all versions prior to iOS/iPadOS 18. This vulnerability highlights the importance of controlling app metadata access to prevent information leakage on mobile platforms.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-40830 is the potential privacy risk and information leakage concerning users’ installed applications on iOS and iPadOS devices. This could facilitate profiling of employees or users, enabling adversaries to infer roles, interests, or security posture based on app usage. While it does not directly compromise device integrity or availability, such information could be leveraged in targeted phishing or social engineering campaigns. Organizations with mobile workforces relying on Apple devices may face increased risk of privacy breaches or reconnaissance by threat actors. The impact is more pronounced in sectors handling sensitive data or regulated under strict privacy laws such as GDPR, where unauthorized data exposure can lead to compliance issues and reputational damage. However, since exploitation requires an app to be installed on the device, the risk is mitigated by app vetting and controlled app deployment policies.

To mitigate CVE-2024-40830, European organizations should prioritize upgrading all iOS and iPadOS devices to version 18 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed with improved data protection. Implement strict mobile device management (MDM) policies to control app installation, ensuring only trusted and vetted applications are allowed on corporate devices. Employ app sandboxing and permission controls to limit app capabilities and prevent unauthorized access to app metadata. Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted apps and enforce the use of official app stores. Regularly audit installed applications and monitor for anomalous app behaviors that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, integrate privacy-focused mobile security solutions that can detect and block apps attempting to enumerate installed software. For highly sensitive environments, consider restricting device usage to managed devices only and applying network-level controls to detect suspicious app communications.