CVE-2026-28882 Overview
CVE-2026-28882 is an information disclosure vulnerability affecting multiple Apple operating systems that allows a malicious application to enumerate installed apps on a user's device. This privacy issue stems from insufficient validation checks in the operating system's application handling mechanisms, potentially enabling attackers to build detailed profiles of users based on their installed applications.
Critical Impact
A malicious app can enumerate all installed applications on affected Apple devices, compromising user privacy and enabling targeted attacks based on installed software.
Affected Products
- Apple iOS prior to version 26.4
- Apple iPadOS prior to version 26.4
- Apple macOS Tahoe prior to version 26.4
- Apple tvOS prior to version 26.4
- Apple visionOS prior to version 26.4
- Apple watchOS prior to version 26.4
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-03-25 - CVE-2026-28882 published to NVD
- 2026-03-26 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-28882
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability allows applications to bypass privacy controls and enumerate installed applications on Apple devices. App enumeration vulnerabilities are particularly concerning from a privacy perspective as they can reveal sensitive information about users, including their interests, financial applications, health-related apps, dating apps, and other potentially sensitive software installations.
The attack requires local access, meaning a malicious application must first be installed on the target device. Once installed, the app can query the system to determine what other applications are present, circumventing the privacy protections Apple has implemented to prevent this type of information gathering.
Root Cause
The vulnerability exists due to insufficient validation checks in the application handling subsystem across Apple's operating systems. The issue indicates that the operating system failed to properly restrict access to application metadata and installation status information, allowing untrusted applications to access data that should be protected by the system's privacy sandbox.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is local, requiring an attacker to first deploy a malicious application on the target device. This could be accomplished through:
- Distributing a trojanized application through legitimate app stores by disguising malicious functionality
- Sideloading applications on devices with reduced security configurations
- Exploiting enterprise distribution mechanisms to deploy the malicious app
- Social engineering users into installing seemingly benign applications that contain the enumeration capability
Once the malicious application is installed and executed, it can silently enumerate all installed applications without user interaction or visible indicators. The gathered information could then be exfiltrated to attacker-controlled servers for profiling purposes.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-28882
Indicators of Compromise
- Applications making unusual system calls to enumerate installed apps
- Unexpected network traffic from apps transmitting lists of installed software
- Applications accessing app metadata APIs without legitimate business justification
- Suspicious app behavior following installation of new applications from untrusted sources
Detection Strategies
- Monitor for applications that query system APIs related to installed app enumeration
- Implement behavioral analysis to detect apps that collect and transmit app installation data
- Review application permissions and sandbox escapes that could indicate exploitation
- Deploy endpoint detection solutions capable of identifying privacy-violating application behaviors
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable comprehensive application logging on managed Apple devices
- Monitor network traffic for data exfiltration patterns containing app inventory information
- Utilize Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to track application installations and behaviors
- Implement SentinelOne Singularity for macOS to detect anomalous application behaviors
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-28882
Immediate Actions Required
- Update all Apple devices to the latest patched versions immediately
- Review installed applications and remove any untrusted or unnecessary software
- Restrict application installation sources to trusted app stores only
- Enable automatic updates to ensure timely patch deployment
Patch Information
Apple has addressed this vulnerability with improved checks in the following software versions:
- iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 - Apple Security Advisory #126792
- macOS Tahoe 26.4 - Apple Security Advisory #126794
- tvOS 26.4 - Apple Security Advisory #126797
- visionOS 26.4 - Apple Security Advisory #126798
- watchOS 26.4 - Apple Security Advisory #126799
Organizations should prioritize updating all affected devices to these versions to remediate the vulnerability.
Workarounds
- Limit application installations to verified sources and App Store-vetted applications only
- Use Mobile Device Management (MDM) to restrict which applications can be installed
- Review and audit existing installed applications for suspicious behavior
- Implement network monitoring to detect potential data exfiltration of app enumeration data
- Consider removing sensitive applications from devices that cannot be immediately patched
# macOS: Check current OS version
sw_vers
# macOS: Check for available updates
softwareupdate --list
# macOS: Install all available updates
softwareupdate --install --all
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
