CVE-2026-20663 is a vulnerability identified in Apple’s iOS and iPadOS platforms that allows an application to enumerate the list of installed applications on a device. The root cause is improper sanitization of logging data, which inadvertently exposes information about installed apps. This vulnerability falls under CWE-532 (Information Exposure Through Log Files). An app with limited privileges and local access can exploit this flaw without requiring user interaction, enabling it to gather information about other installed applications. This can be leveraged by malicious actors to profile users, identify installed security or enterprise apps, or tailor subsequent attacks based on the app inventory. Apple resolved this issue by sanitizing the logging mechanism in iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3, iOS 18.7.5, and iPadOS 18.7.5. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 3.3, reflecting its low impact primarily on confidentiality. There are no known exploits in the wild, and the affected versions are unspecified but presumably all versions prior to the patched releases. The vulnerability does not impact system integrity or availability and requires local access with limited privileges, making remote exploitation unlikely. However, the ability to enumerate installed apps can aid attackers in reconnaissance and targeted attacks.

The primary impact of CVE-2026-20663 is the disclosure of information about installed applications on iOS and iPadOS devices. This can compromise user privacy by revealing app usage patterns and potentially sensitive applications installed on the device. For organizations, this could expose the presence of security, enterprise, or proprietary apps, aiding attackers in crafting targeted attacks or bypassing security controls. Although the vulnerability does not allow direct compromise of device integrity or availability, the information gained can be used for social engineering, phishing, or further exploitation. The requirement for limited privileges and local access reduces the risk of widespread exploitation, but insider threats or malicious apps installed on the device could leverage this vulnerability. Overall, the impact is low but relevant in environments where app confidentiality is critical, such as corporate or government devices.

To mitigate CVE-2026-20663, organizations and users should promptly update affected devices to iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3, iOS 18.7.5, or iPadOS 18.7.5 or later versions where the issue is fixed. Restricting app installation to trusted sources and enforcing strict app review policies can reduce the risk of malicious apps exploiting this vulnerability. Employ mobile device management (MDM) solutions to control app permissions and monitor installed applications. Additionally, limit local access to devices and educate users about the risks of installing untrusted apps. For high-security environments, consider disabling unnecessary logging or using enhanced logging controls if available. Regularly audit installed apps and device configurations to detect unauthorized applications that could exploit this flaw. Since the vulnerability involves information leakage through logs, reviewing and hardening logging configurations and access controls on devices can further reduce exposure.