CVE-2025-31207
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows malicious iOS/iPadOS apps to enumerate which other apps are installed on a user's device. It affects users running iOS/iPadOS versions before 18.5, potentially exposing their app usage patterns and personal interests.
💻 Affected Systems
- iOS
- iPadOS
📦 What is this software?
Ipados by Apple
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
An attacker could build a detailed profile of a user's habits, interests, and potentially sensitive activities based on installed apps, then use this information for targeted phishing, social engineering, or blackmail.
Likely Case
Malicious apps could collect app installation data for advertising profiling, competitive intelligence gathering, or to identify users with specific security/communication apps for targeted attacks.
If Mitigated
With proper app review processes and user permission controls, the impact is limited to apps that have already been installed and granted excessive permissions.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires a malicious app to be installed on the target device; the vulnerability itself is a logic issue in app enumeration checks.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5
Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/en-us/122404
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Settings app. 2. Tap General. 3. Tap Software Update. 4. Download and install iOS 18.5/iPadOS 18.5 update. 5. Restart device when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict App Installation Sources
allOnly install apps from the official Apple App Store and avoid sideloading or enterprise app distribution unless absolutely necessary.
Review App Permissions
allRegularly review and restrict app permissions in Settings > Privacy & Security to minimize data exposure.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement Mobile Device Management (MDM) to control which apps can be installed on corporate devices.
- Educate users about the risks of installing apps from untrusted sources and implement app allowlisting policies.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check iOS/iPadOS version in Settings > General > About > Software Version. If version is below 18.5, device is vulnerable.Check Version:
Not applicable for iOS/iPadOS - use Settings app interface.Verify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify Software Version shows 18.5 or higher in Settings > General > About.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual app permission requests for app enumeration APIs
- Multiple apps from same developer requesting similar permissions
Network Indicators:
- Apps sending lists of installed apps to external servers
- Unusual data exfiltration patterns from mobile devices
SIEM Query:
Not typically applicable for mobile device app enumeration vulnerabilities.