CVE-2026-28880 Overview
A permissions issue in Apple operating systems allows malicious applications to enumerate a user's installed apps. This vulnerability, classified under CWE-284 (Improper Access Control), stems from insufficient restrictions in the permissions framework that governs inter-application visibility and system queries. Apple has addressed this vulnerability with additional restrictions in multiple security updates across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS platforms.
Critical Impact
Malicious applications can enumerate installed apps on affected devices, potentially enabling targeted attacks, fingerprinting, or privacy violations by revealing user software preferences and installed security tools.
Affected Products
- Apple iOS (versions prior to 18.7.7 and 26.4)
- Apple iPadOS (versions prior to 18.7.7 and 26.4)
- Apple macOS Sequoia (versions prior to 15.7.5), macOS Sonoma (versions prior to 14.8.5), and macOS Tahoe (versions prior to 26.4)
- Apple visionOS (versions prior to 26.4)
Discovery Timeline
- March 25, 2026 - CVE-2026-28880 published to NVD
- March 25, 2026 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-28880
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability represents an Improper Access Control (CWE-284) flaw within Apple's operating system permission framework. The issue allows applications to query and enumerate other installed applications on the device without proper authorization. In typical Apple security architecture, applications operate within sandboxed environments with restricted visibility into other installed software. This vulnerability bypasses those protections.
The attack can be executed over a network context with low complexity and requires no user interaction or special privileges. While the vulnerability does not allow direct code execution or complete system compromise, the information exposure creates significant privacy concerns and can serve as a reconnaissance mechanism for more sophisticated attack chains. An attacker could identify security applications, corporate MDM solutions, or specific high-value targets based on installed software profiles.
Root Cause
The root cause lies in insufficient permission restrictions governing inter-application queries and system-level APIs that expose information about installed applications. The underlying permission checks failed to adequately restrict which applications could access the list of installed software, allowing unprivileged applications to enumerate this sensitive information. Apple addressed this by implementing additional restrictions to the affected APIs and permission validation routines.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based, requiring a malicious application to be installed on the target device. Once installed, the malicious app exploits the insufficient permission checks to query system APIs that reveal installed application information. This can be accomplished through:
- A malicious app distributed through unofficial channels or social engineering
- Legitimate app that has been compromised or contains hidden functionality
- A seemingly benign application that collects this information for reconnaissance purposes
The enumeration results could reveal:
- Security and privacy applications (indicating security-conscious users)
- Banking and financial applications (identifying high-value targets)
- Enterprise and corporate applications (identifying business users)
- Development tools and utilities (fingerprinting technical users)
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-28880
Indicators of Compromise
- Applications making unusual system queries to enumerate installed software
- Unexpected network traffic containing application inventory data
- Applications requesting or utilizing undocumented APIs related to application discovery
- Suspicious app behavior patterns attempting to access protected system information
Detection Strategies
- Monitor for applications making repeated or batch queries to application enumeration APIs
- Implement endpoint detection rules to identify apps accessing system information outside their normal operational scope
- Review application logs for unauthorized permission access attempts
- Deploy behavioral analysis to detect reconnaissance-style information gathering
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable enhanced logging on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS devices to capture permission violations
- Implement Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to monitor application behavior across enterprise fleets
- Utilize SentinelOne Singularity Platform for real-time behavioral monitoring on macOS endpoints
- Review installed applications periodically for untrusted or suspicious software
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-28880
Immediate Actions Required
- Update all Apple devices to the latest patched versions immediately
- Remove any untrusted or suspicious applications from affected devices
- Enable automatic updates on all Apple devices to receive security patches promptly
- Review recently installed applications for potentially malicious software
Patch Information
Apple has released security updates addressing this vulnerability across all affected platforms. Organizations and users should update to the following versions or later:
- iOS 18.7.7 or iOS 26.4
- iPadOS 18.7.7 or iPadOS 26.4
- macOS Sequoia 15.7.5
- macOS Sonoma 14.8.5
- macOS Tahoe 26.4
- visionOS 26.4
Detailed patch information is available in the following Apple Security Advisories:
- Apple Support Document #126792
- Apple Support Document #126793
- Apple Support Document #126794
- Apple Support Document #126795
- Apple Support Document #126796
- Apple Support Document #126799
Workarounds
- Restrict application installations to only App Store verified applications until patching is complete
- Implement strict MDM policies to prevent installation of untrusted applications on enterprise devices
- Isolate unpatched devices from sensitive network segments where possible
- Review and revoke unnecessary application permissions on all Apple devices
# macOS - Check current system version for patch verification
sw_vers -productVersion
# iOS/iPadOS - Verify version via Settings > General > About
# Update via Settings > General > Software Update
# For enterprise MDM environments, push mandatory updates using:
# Apple Business Manager or Apple School Manager update policies
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
