CVE-2022-37290 in Nautilus
Summary
by MITRE • 11/14/2022
GNOME Nautilus 42.2 allows a NULL pointer dereference and get_basename application crash via a pasted ZIP archive.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/17/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2022-37290 represents a critical NULL pointer dereference issue within GNOME Nautilus version 42.2 that manifests when processing pasted ZIP archive files. This flaw exists in the file manager's handling of compressed archive content during paste operations, creating a potential crash condition that can be exploited to disrupt normal system operations. The vulnerability specifically impacts the get_basename function within the application's file processing pipeline, where the software fails to properly validate pointer references when encountering certain ZIP archive structures. This type of memory corruption vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation and can be classified as CWE-476, which addresses NULL pointer dereference conditions in software applications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a user pastes a malformed ZIP archive into the Nautilus file manager interface, triggering the application to attempt to access a NULL pointer during the basename extraction process. The application's failure to properly initialize or validate the pointer reference results in an immediate crash of the file manager process. This behavior aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.001, which involves network denial of service attacks through application crashes, and demonstrates how seemingly benign file operations can be leveraged to create system instability. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple application disruption as it can potentially be used in broader attack scenarios targeting desktop environments and user productivity.
Operationally, this vulnerability creates significant risks for end users and system administrators who rely on GNOME Nautilus for daily file management tasks. The crash condition can occur during routine operations such as copying files from one location to another, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently work with compressed archives. The instability introduced by this flaw can lead to data loss scenarios, system unresponsiveness, and potential escalation to more severe compromise conditions if exploited in conjunction with other vulnerabilities. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability can be particularly problematic in enterprise environments where centralized desktop management and automated file handling processes are common. The crash behavior creates an attack surface that could be leveraged for persistent denial of service conditions against targeted systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-37290 should prioritize immediate patching of affected GNOME Nautilus installations to the latest stable versions that contain the necessary code fixes. System administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable systems to potentially malicious file transfers. Additionally, organizations should consider deploying application whitelisting solutions that restrict execution of untrusted archive files within the file manager environment. The vulnerability's nature suggests that automated security scanning tools should be configured to monitor for unusual file paste operations and potential malformed archive content. Regular security assessments and vulnerability management processes should include verification of GNOME Nautilus versions and proper patch deployment to prevent exploitation of this NULL pointer dereference condition.