CVE-2025-31207 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Apple iOS and iPadOS platforms, identified as a logic issue that allows an application to enumerate the list of installed apps on a user's device. This vulnerability arises from insufficient checks in the operating system's app sandboxing or privacy controls, permitting unauthorized access to information about other installed applications. The issue is classified under CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor). The vulnerability does not require user interaction or privileges (PR:N/UI:N), and can be exploited locally (AV:L) with low attack complexity (AC:L). The impact on confidentiality is high, as the attacker can gain insight into the user's app ecosystem, potentially revealing sensitive user behavior or installed security tools. Additionally, the vulnerability impacts availability with a high rating, suggesting that exploitation could lead to denial-of-service conditions or system instability. The vulnerability scope is unchanged (S:U), meaning the impact is confined to the vulnerable component without affecting other system components. Apple addressed this issue in iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5 by implementing improved logic checks to prevent unauthorized app enumeration. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the vulnerability's characteristics make it a significant privacy and security concern, especially for users in sensitive environments. The lack of specified affected versions suggests that all versions prior to 18.5 may be vulnerable. This vulnerability could be leveraged by malicious apps to profile users, assist in targeted attacks, or bypass security measures by detecting installed security or monitoring apps.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a privacy and security risk, particularly for sectors handling sensitive data such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure. The ability for a malicious app to enumerate installed applications can facilitate targeted attacks by revealing security tools or sensitive apps in use, enabling attackers to tailor their exploits or social engineering campaigns. This could lead to data breaches, espionage, or disruption of services. The high impact on confidentiality and availability means that exploitation could compromise user privacy and potentially degrade device functionality. Organizations relying on iOS and iPadOS devices for secure communications or operations may face increased risk if devices are not updated promptly. Furthermore, the vulnerability could undermine compliance with stringent European data protection regulations like GDPR, as unauthorized exposure of user app data constitutes a privacy violation. The absence of known exploits in the wild provides a window for mitigation, but the ease of exploitation and lack of required user interaction necessitate urgent patching and risk management.

European organizations should prioritize updating all iOS and iPadOS devices to version 18.5 or later to remediate this vulnerability. Beyond patching, organizations should enforce strict app vetting policies, limiting installation to trusted sources and employing Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to control app permissions and monitor device compliance. Implementing application allowlists can reduce the risk of malicious apps exploiting this vulnerability. Security teams should audit installed apps on organizational devices to detect any unauthorized or suspicious applications that could exploit this flaw. Additionally, educating users about the risks of installing untrusted apps and encouraging prompt updates can reduce exposure. Network-level controls, such as restricting device communication to trusted networks and employing endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools tailored for mobile devices, can help detect anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. Finally, organizations should review their privacy policies and incident response plans to address potential data exposure resulting from this vulnerability.