CVE-2022-41874 in Tauri
Summary
by MITRE • 11/11/2022
Tauri is a framework for building binaries for all major desktop platforms. In versions prior to 1.0.7 and 1.1.2, Tauri is vulnerable to an Incorrectly-Resolved Name. Due to incorrect escaping of special characters in paths selected via the file dialog and drag and drop functionality, it is possible to partially bypass the `fs` scope definition. It is not possible to traverse into arbitrary paths, as the issue is limited to neighboring files and sub folders of already allowed paths. The impact differs on Windows, MacOS and Linux due to different specifications of valid path characters. This bypass depends on the file picker dialog or dragged files, as user selected paths are automatically added to the allow list at runtime. A successful bypass requires the user to select a pre-existing malicious file or directory during the file picker dialog and an adversary controlled logic to access these files. The issue has been patched in versions 1.0.7, 1.1.2 and 1.2.0. As a workaround, disable the dialog and fileDropEnabled component inside the tauri.conf.json.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/11/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-41874 affects the Tauri framework, a cross-platform application development framework that enables developers to build binaries for major desktop platforms. This security flaw represents a critical Incorrectly-Resolved Name issue that manifests through improper handling of special characters in file paths obtained through user interactions with file dialogs and drag-and-drop functionality. The vulnerability exists in Tauri versions prior to 1.0.7 and 1.1.2, where the framework fails to properly escape special characters in paths selected via file dialog interfaces and drag-and-drop operations. This deficiency creates a pathway for privilege escalation through file system scope bypasses that can potentially allow attackers to access neighboring files and subdirectories of already permitted paths. The vulnerability specifically targets the file system scope definitions that Tauri implements to restrict access to specific directories and files, creating a security boundary that can be partially circumvented through crafted user input.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the framework's inadequate path validation mechanisms during runtime processing of user-selected file paths. When users interact with file pickers or drag-and-drop operations, the selected paths are automatically added to the allow list at runtime without proper sanitization of special characters that could alter the intended path resolution. This issue is particularly concerning because it operates at the intersection of user interaction and system security boundaries, where legitimate user behavior becomes a potential attack vector. The vulnerability's impact varies significantly across different operating systems due to the distinct specifications of valid path characters on Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms. On Windows, the presence of backslashes and other special characters creates unique exploitation opportunities, while macOS and Linux present their own variations in how path resolution behaves with special character sequences. The bypass mechanism requires an adversary to carefully select pre-existing malicious files or directories during the file picker dialog process, making this vulnerability more sophisticated than simple path traversal attacks but still highly exploitable in targeted scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-41874 extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it represents a significant weakening of the application's security model that can enable more complex attack scenarios. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to access files and directories that should normally be restricted, potentially gaining access to sensitive data, configuration files, or even system resources that reside in neighboring paths relative to those explicitly allowed. The limitation that prevents complete arbitrary path traversal means that attackers cannot access arbitrary locations in the file system, but they can access files and directories that are in close proximity to the originally permitted paths, which may include related configuration files, log files, or other sensitive resources. This partial bypass capability creates a dangerous situation where attackers can systematically explore the file system around allowed paths, potentially discovering valuable information or gaining access to additional resources that could be leveraged for further compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation requires user interaction, which makes it more difficult to automate but also means that successful attacks depend on social engineering or targeted user manipulation, creating a hybrid attack vector that combines both technical and social engineering elements.
The remediation for this vulnerability has been addressed through official patches released in Tauri versions 1.0.7, 1.1.2, and 1.2.0, which implement proper path escaping and validation mechanisms to prevent the incorrect resolution of file paths. These updates ensure that special characters in user-selected paths are properly sanitized before being added to the runtime allow list, effectively closing the security gap that enabled the bypass. As a temporary mitigation strategy, developers can disable the dialog and fileDropEnabled components within the tauri.conf.json configuration file, which eliminates the attack surface entirely by preventing users from interacting with file selection dialogs or drag-and-drop functionality. This workaround, while effective, significantly impacts application usability and user experience, making it a less desirable long-term solution. Organizations deploying Tauri applications should prioritize updating to the patched versions and conducting thorough security reviews of their applications to ensure no other vulnerabilities exist in their implementation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-23 (Relative Path Traversal) and CWE-73 (External Control of File Name or Path) categories, and the exploitation patterns align with ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access through file system manipulation. The security implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical importance of proper input validation and path handling in cross-platform application frameworks, where user interactions can inadvertently create security boundaries that attackers can exploit.