CVE-2025-24089 is a permissions-related vulnerability in Apple’s iOS and iPadOS operating systems that allows a malicious application to enumerate the list of installed apps on a user’s device. This vulnerability arises due to insufficient enforcement of app sandboxing and permission restrictions, enabling unauthorized access to potentially sensitive information about user-installed applications. The flaw is categorized under CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.3, indicating medium severity. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), requiring no privileges (PR:N) or user interaction (UI:N), and the scope remains unchanged (S:U). The impact is limited to confidentiality (C:L) with no effect on integrity or availability. Apple addressed this issue in iOS and iPadOS version 18.3 by implementing additional restrictions to prevent apps from enumerating installed applications. Although no exploits have been observed in the wild, the vulnerability could be leveraged by attackers to gather intelligence about installed software, which may facilitate targeted phishing, social engineering, or further exploitation. The vulnerability affects all versions prior to 18.3, and users are advised to update promptly. The lack of authentication or user interaction requirements makes this vulnerability easier to exploit, increasing its risk profile despite the moderate impact severity.

The primary impact of CVE-2025-24089 is the unauthorized disclosure of information about installed applications on iOS and iPadOS devices. This breach of confidentiality can enable attackers to profile users, identify potentially vulnerable or high-value apps, and tailor subsequent attacks such as phishing or malware delivery. While it does not directly compromise data integrity or system availability, the information gained can be a critical enabler for more sophisticated attacks. Organizations with employees using vulnerable Apple devices may face increased risk of targeted attacks or data breaches. Privacy-conscious users and sectors handling sensitive information (e.g., finance, healthcare, government) are particularly at risk. The vulnerability’s ease of exploitation without user interaction or privileges broadens the attack surface, potentially allowing remote attackers to silently gather intelligence. However, the absence of known exploits in the wild suggests limited active exploitation currently, though this could change if threat actors develop weaponized tools.

To mitigate CVE-2025-24089, organizations and users should promptly update all affected Apple devices to iOS and iPadOS version 18.3 or later, where Apple has implemented additional permission restrictions to block app enumeration of installed applications. Enterprises should enforce mobile device management (MDM) policies that mandate timely OS updates and restrict installation of untrusted or unsigned applications. Developers should avoid relying on app enumeration for legitimate functionality and adhere to Apple’s privacy guidelines. Network-level controls such as app behavior monitoring and anomaly detection can help identify suspicious app activities attempting unauthorized enumeration. Additionally, educating users about the risks of installing apps from untrusted sources reduces exposure. For high-security environments, consider restricting app installation privileges and employing endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions tailored for iOS/iPadOS. Regular vulnerability assessments and threat intelligence monitoring will help detect any emerging exploitation attempts related to this vulnerability.