CVE-2023-29198: Context isolation bypass via nested unserializable return value in Electron

Published Sep 6, 2023
·
Updated

Impact Apps using contextIsolation and contextBridge are affected.

This is a context isolation bypass, meaning that code running in the main world context in the renderer can reach into the isolated Electron context and perform privileged actions.

Workarounds This issue is exploitable under either of two conditions: If an API exposed to the main world via contextBridge can return an object or array that contains a JS object which cannot be serialized, for instance, a canvas rendering context. This would normally result in an exception being thrown Error: object could not be cloned. If an API exposed to the main world via contextBridge has a return value that throws a user-generated exception while being sent over the bridge, for instance a dynamic getter property on an object that throws an error when being computed.

The app side workaround is to ensure that such a case is not possible. Ensure all values returned from a function exposed over the context bridge are supported and that any objects returned from functions do not have dynamic getters that can throw exceptions.

Auditing your exposed API is likely to be quite difficult so we strongly recommend you update to a patched version of Electron.

Fixed Versions 25.0.0-alpha.2 24.0.1 23.2.3 22.3.6

For more information If you have any questions or comments about this advisory, email us at security@electronjs.org

Other sources

Electron is a framework which lets you write cross-platform desktop applications using JavaScript, HTML and CSS. Electron apps using contextIsolation and contextBridge are affected. This is a context isolation bypass, meaning that code running in the main world context in the renderer can reach into the isolated Electron context and perform privileged actions. This issue is only exploitable if an API exposed to the main world via contextBridge can return an object or array that contains a javascript object which cannot be serialized, for instance, a canvas rendering context. This would normally result in an exception being thrown Error: object could not be cloned. The app side workaround is to ensure that such a case is not possible. Ensure all values returned from a function exposed over the context bridge are supported. This issue has been fixed in versions 25.0.0-alpha.2, 24.0.1, 23.2.3, and 22.3.6.

Affected Software

22 affected componentsFixes available
npm/electron>=25.0.0-alpha.1<25.0.0-alpha.2
25.0.0-alpha.2
npm/electron>=24.0.0-alpha.1<24.0.1
24.0.1
npm/electron>=23.0.0-alpha.1<23.2.3
23.2.3
npm/electron<22.3.6
22.3.6
electronjs Electron Node.js<22.3.6
electronjs Electron Node.js>=23.0.0<23.2.3
electronjs Electron Node.js=24.0.0
electronjs Electron Node.js=24.0.0-alpha1
electronjs Electron Node.js=24.0.0-alpha2
electronjs Electron Node.js=24.0.0-alpha3
electronjs Electron Node.js=24.0.0-alpha4
electronjs Electron Node.js=24.0.0-alpha5
electronjs Electron Node.js=24.0.0-alpha6
electronjs Electron Node.js=24.0.0-alpha7
electronjs Electron Node.js=24.0.0-beta1
electronjs Electron Node.js=24.0.0-beta2
electronjs Electron Node.js=24.0.0-beta3
electronjs Electron Node.js=24.0.0-beta4
electronjs Electron Node.js=24.0.0-beta5
electronjs Electron Node.js=24.0.0-beta6
electronjs Electron Node.js=24.0.0-beta7
electronjs Electron Node.js=25.0.0-alpha1

Event History

Sep 6, 2023
Advisory Published
07:50 PM
CVE Published
via MITRE·08:13 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·08:13 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is CVE-2023-29198?

CVE-2023-29198 is a vulnerability in Electron, a framework for writing cross-platform desktop applications using JavaScript.

2

How does CVE-2023-29198 impact applications?

CVE-2023-29198 is a context isolation bypass vulnerability in Electron, allowing code in the renderer to perform privileged actions in the isolated Electron context.

3

What is the severity of CVE-2023-29198?

CVE-2023-29198 has a severity rating of 8.5 (high).

4

Which versions of Electron are affected by CVE-2023-29198?

Electron versions up to and including 25.0.0-alpha.2 are affected by CVE-2023-29198.

5

How can I fix CVE-2023-29198?

You can fix CVE-2023-29198 by updating to Electron version 25.0.0-alpha.2 or later.

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