CVE-2025-43442 is a privacy-related vulnerability in Apple’s iOS and iPadOS platforms, identified as a permissions issue that allows an application to enumerate or identify other apps installed on the same device. This capability breaches user privacy by exposing potentially sensitive information about user behavior and app usage patterns. The vulnerability arises from insufficient restrictions on app sandboxing or inter-app communication permissions, enabling an app to bypass normal privacy controls. Apple addressed this issue in iOS and iPadOS version 26.1 by introducing additional restrictions that prevent apps from querying installed app lists. The affected versions are unspecified but include all versions prior to 26.1. No public exploits or active attacks have been reported, indicating the vulnerability is not yet weaponized in the wild. However, the ability to identify installed apps can be leveraged by attackers for profiling users, targeted phishing, or as a reconnaissance step in multi-stage attacks. This vulnerability does not directly allow code execution or data modification but compromises confidentiality of user information. The lack of a CVSS score suggests this is primarily a privacy concern rather than a critical security flaw. The issue was reserved in April 2025 and published in November 2025, reflecting a recent discovery and patch cycle.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-43442 is the erosion of user privacy and potential exposure of sensitive application usage data. This can lead to profiling of employees or customers, which may violate GDPR and other privacy regulations, resulting in legal and reputational consequences. Organizations relying on iOS/iPadOS devices for secure communications or sensitive operations could see increased risk if malicious apps exploit this vulnerability to gather intelligence on installed security or business applications. While the vulnerability does not directly compromise device integrity or availability, it can facilitate targeted social engineering or follow-on attacks by revealing installed security tools or enterprise apps. The impact is heightened in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, where app usage patterns may reveal confidential operational details. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the ease of exploitation without user interaction means attackers could silently collect data if a malicious app is installed. Overall, the vulnerability poses a moderate privacy risk that could cascade into more severe security incidents if combined with other threats.

The most effective mitigation is to update all Apple iOS and iPadOS devices to version 26.1 or later, where Apple has implemented additional restrictions to prevent apps from enumerating installed applications. Organizations should enforce mobile device management (MDM) policies that mandate timely OS updates and restrict installation of untrusted or unnecessary applications. Application vetting processes should be strengthened to detect apps attempting to exploit this vulnerability or requesting excessive permissions. Network-level monitoring can be enhanced to detect anomalous app behavior indicative of reconnaissance activities. User awareness training should emphasize the risks of installing apps from unverified sources. For high-security environments, consider deploying endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting suspicious inter-app communication attempts. Regular privacy audits and compliance checks should be conducted to ensure that app usage data is not being improperly accessed or leaked. Finally, organizations should monitor Apple security advisories for any further updates or related vulnerabilities.