CVE-2025-43436 is a permissions-related vulnerability identified in Apple tvOS and other Apple operating systems including watchOS, macOS Tahoe, iOS, iPadOS, and visionOS. The flaw allows a malicious application to enumerate all installed applications on a user's device without requiring any privileges or user interaction, due to insufficient restrictions on app enumeration APIs or system calls. This enumeration can reveal sensitive information about the user's installed software environment, potentially aiding targeted attacks or privacy violations. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-288 (Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel), indicating that the app bypasses intended permission checks. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.5 (high), with vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N, meaning the attack can be performed remotely over the network with low complexity, no privileges, and no user interaction, impacting confidentiality but not integrity or availability. Apple addressed this issue in version 26.1 of the affected OSes by implementing additional permission restrictions to prevent unauthorized app enumeration. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability's nature makes it a significant privacy concern, as knowledge of installed apps can be leveraged for profiling or subsequent targeted exploitation.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-43436 is the potential exposure of sensitive information about installed applications on Apple devices. This can lead to privacy breaches, as attackers could infer user behavior, installed security tools, or business-critical applications, enabling more precise social engineering or targeted attacks. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, which often use Apple devices and require strong privacy controls, may be particularly vulnerable. Although the vulnerability does not allow code execution or system compromise directly, the confidentiality loss can facilitate further attacks. Additionally, organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies may face increased risk if employees' devices are compromised. The lack of required authentication and user interaction increases the likelihood of exploitation if a malicious app is installed or if a network attacker can induce app installation or communication.

The most effective mitigation is to upgrade all affected Apple devices to version 26.1 or later of tvOS, watchOS, macOS Tahoe, iOS, iPadOS, and visionOS, where the vulnerability has been fixed. Organizations should enforce strict update policies and monitor device compliance. Additionally, implement application whitelisting and restrict installation of untrusted or third-party apps to reduce the risk of malicious apps exploiting this vulnerability. Network-level controls such as app vetting and monitoring for unusual app enumeration behavior can help detect exploitation attempts. Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted applications and enforce mobile device management (MDM) solutions to control app permissions and installations. Finally, review and tighten privacy settings related to app visibility and permissions on Apple devices where possible.