CVE-2026-28882 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 03/25/2026
This issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4, macOS Tahoe 26.4, tvOS 26.4, visionOS 26.4, watchOS 26.4. An app may be able to enumerate a user's installed apps.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2026
This vulnerability represents a privacy disclosure flaw that emerged in Apple's ecosystem across multiple operating systems including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS. The issue stems from insufficient access controls that allow malicious applications to potentially discover and enumerate other applications installed on a user's device. Such enumeration capabilities could provide attackers with valuable reconnaissance information about the target system's software landscape, potentially enabling more sophisticated attack vectors. The vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to the patched releases mentioned in the advisory, with the fix being implemented in iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, macOS Tahoe 26.4, tvOS 26.4, visionOS 26.4, and watchOS 26.4. This type of information disclosure vulnerability falls under the category of insufficient access control issues that can lead to broader security implications.
The technical flaw manifests through improper application programming interface access restrictions that permit unauthorized enumeration of installed applications. Attackers could exploit this weakness to gather intelligence about the user's software environment, potentially identifying security tools, productivity applications, or other software that might be targeted for further exploitation. The vulnerability essentially allows an app to bypass normal access controls that should prevent one application from discovering the presence of other applications on the same device. This capability could be leveraged to build detailed profiles of user environments, identify potential attack targets, or even facilitate social engineering attacks by understanding what applications users have installed. The issue demonstrates a failure in proper sandboxing and application isolation mechanisms that should prevent such cross-application information leakage.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privacy concerns to potentially enable more sophisticated attack scenarios. Security researchers have noted that such enumeration capabilities can serve as a foundation for advanced persistent threat campaigns where attackers first gather reconnaissance information before launching more targeted attacks. The vulnerability could be exploited by malicious applications to identify installed security software, which might then be used to tailor attacks that avoid detection or to understand the security posture of the target system. This type of information gathering capability aligns with tactics described in the attack pattern taxonomy where adversaries first map their target environment before executing more complex operations. The vulnerability also raises concerns about user privacy and the potential for tracking user behavior across different applications through the enumeration of installed software packages.
The remediation approach taken by Apple involved implementing enhanced access controls and strengthening the application sandboxing mechanisms that govern how applications can interact with system information. This fix ensures that applications cannot enumerate other installed applications without proper authorization, thereby restoring the intended security boundaries between applications. The patch addresses the root cause by tightening the checks that govern application access to system information, preventing unauthorized enumeration while maintaining legitimate functionality for authorized applications. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability highlights the importance of proper access control implementation in mobile and desktop operating systems. The fix aligns with industry best practices for maintaining application isolation and preventing information disclosure vulnerabilities that could compromise user privacy and system security. Organizations should ensure all affected systems are updated to the patched versions to mitigate the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability also demonstrates the ongoing need for continuous security assessments and proper implementation of access control mechanisms in operating system design.