CVE-2026-43657 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 08/25/2026
A permissions issue was addressed with additional restrictions. This issue is fixed in iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5. A malicious app may be able to enumerate installed apps.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2026
The vulnerability described involves a flaw in the access control mechanisms governing application enumeration on Apple mobile operating systems, specifically affecting versions prior to iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5. This issue stems from insufficient restrictions placed on how applications can query the system for information regarding other installed software packages. In secure computing environments, the principle of least privilege dictates that an application should only have access to the minimum amount of resources necessary to perform its intended function. When this principle is violated through overly permissive default configurations or logic errors in permission checks, it creates a pathway for unauthorized data collection and system reconnaissance.
From a technical perspective, the flaw allows a maliciously crafted application to bypass expected sandboxing boundaries by enumerating the list of applications installed on the device. This capability is typically restricted because knowledge of installed software can reveal significant details about the user's digital footprint, including their professional interests, financial habits, health concerns, and personal relationships based on the specific suite of tools they utilize. By exploiting this permissions issue, an attacker gains a critical foothold for further reconnaissance activities without requiring elevated system privileges or physical access to the device at the moment of exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is primarily centered around privacy erosion and the facilitation of targeted attacks. An adversary who can enumerate installed apps can tailor subsequent phishing attempts, social engineering campaigns, or exploit delivery mechanisms based on the specific software present on the target device. For instance, if a banking application is detected, an attacker might deploy specialized malware designed to intercept credentials from that specific app rather than using generic keyloggers which are more easily detectable by security tools. This contextual awareness significantly increases the success rate of subsequent attack phases and reduces the noise associated with broad-spectrum attacks.
This type of vulnerability aligns closely with Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) categories such as CWE-200, which defines Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor, and CWE-732, which pertains to Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource. In the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this behavior maps directly to the T1592 technique under the Reconnaissance tactic, specifically sub-technique T1592.004 known as Client Configurations. This classification highlights that the attacker is gathering information about the target's environment to plan further actions rather than attempting immediate exploitation of a remote code execution flaw.
Mitigation for this issue relies heavily on timely software updates provided by Apple, which address the underlying permission checks and enforce stricter isolation between application processes. Users should ensure their devices are updated to iOS 26.5 or iPadOS 26.5 immediately upon availability. Additionally, organizations deploying mobile device management solutions can implement policies that restrict app installation sources and monitor for unusual enumeration patterns in system logs. Security awareness training remains critical as well, ensuring users understand the risks associated with granting permissions to untrusted applications and recognizing signs of potential reconnaissance activity on their devices.