CVE-2023-28101: Flatpak metadata with ANSI control codes can cause misleading terminal output
First published: Thu Mar 16 2023(Updated: )
Flatpak is a system for building, distributing, and running sandboxed desktop applications on Linux. In versions prior to 1.10.8, 1.12.8, 1.14.4, and 1.15.4, if an attacker publishes a Flatpak app with elevated permissions, they can hide those permissions from users of the `flatpak(1)` command-line interface by setting other permissions to crafted values that contain non-printable control characters such as `ESC`. A fix is available in versions 1.10.8, 1.12.8, 1.14.4, and 1.15.4. As a workaround, use a GUI like GNOME Software rather than the command-line interface, or only install apps whose maintainers you trust.
Credit: security-advisories@github.com security-advisories@github.com
| Affected Software | Affected Version | How to fix |
|---|---|---|
| Flatpak Flatpak | <1.10.8 | |
| Flatpak Flatpak | >=1.12.0<1.12.8 | |
| Flatpak Flatpak | >=1.14.0<1.14.4 | |
| Flatpak Flatpak | >=1.15.0<1.15.4 |
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Reference Links
- https://github.com/flatpak/flatpak/security/advisories/GHSA-h43h-fwqx-mpp8
- https://github.com/flatpak/flatpak/commit/409e34187de2b2b2c4ef34c79f417be698830f6c
- https://github.com/flatpak/flatpak/commit/6cac99dafe6003c8a4bd5666341c217876536869
- https://github.com/flatpak/flatpak/commit/7fe63f2e8f1fd2dafc31d45154cf0b191ebec66c
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202312-12
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2023-28101?
CVE-2023-28101 is a vulnerability in Flatpak, a system for building, distributing, and running sandboxed desktop applications on Linux.
What is the severity of CVE-2023-28101?
The severity of CVE-2023-28101 is medium with a CVSS score of 4.3.
How does CVE-2023-28101 affect Flatpak?
CVE-2023-28101 affects Flatpak versions prior to 1.10.8, 1.12.8, 1.14.4, and 1.15.4.
How can an attacker exploit CVE-2023-28101?
An attacker can exploit CVE-2023-28101 by publishing a Flatpak app with elevated permissions and hiding those permissions from users of the flatpak(1) command-line tool.
Are there any fixes available for CVE-2023-28101?
Yes, the fixes for CVE-2023-28101 are available in Flatpak versions 1.10.8, 1.12.8, 1.14.4, and 1.15.4.
- agent/author
- agent/description
- agent/event
- agent/first-publish-date
- agent/last-modified-date
- agent/references
- agent/remedy
- agent/severity
- agent/softwarecombine
- agent/tags
- agent/title
- agent/type
- agent/weakness
- collector/mitre-cve
- collector/nvd-api
- source/NVD
- agent/software-canonical-lookup
- collector/nvd-index
- vendor/flatpak
- canonical/flatpak flatpak
- version/flatpak flatpak/1.12.0
- version/flatpak flatpak/1.14.0
- version/flatpak flatpak/1.15.0