CVE-2024-29900 in packager
Summary
by MITRE • 03/29/2024
Electron Packager bundles Electron-based application source code with a renamed Electron executable and supporting files into folders ready for distribution. A random segment of ~1-10kb of Node.js heap memory allocated either side of a known buffer will be leaked into the final executable. This memory _could_ contain sensitive information such as environment variables, secrets files, etc. This issue is patched in 18.3.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-29900 affects Electron Packager, a tool used to bundle Electron-based applications for distribution. This tool creates distributable folders containing the application source code along with a renamed Electron executable and supporting files. The flaw manifests during the packaging process where random segments of Node.js heap memory, ranging from approximately 1-10 kilobytes, are inadvertently leaked into the final executable. This memory leakage occurs adjacent to a known buffer, creating potential exposure of sensitive data within the packaged application. The vulnerability represents a serious security concern as the leaked memory segments could contain confidential information including environment variables, API keys, database credentials, or other sensitive data that was present in the Node.js heap during the packaging operation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within the Electron Packager tool during the application bundling process. When the tool processes and packages the application, it fails to properly sanitize or clear memory segments that are adjacent to buffers being manipulated. This memory leakage is not a direct code injection vulnerability but rather a data exposure issue where sensitive information from the Node.js runtime environment gets embedded into the final distributable package. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200, which deals with exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor, and specifically relates to information exposure through memory leaks. The issue is particularly concerning because it occurs during the build process rather than runtime, meaning that any sensitive data present in the developer's environment or build system gets permanently embedded into the application distribution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations using Electron Packager for application distribution. Applications packaged with affected versions of Electron Packager may contain sensitive information that was present in the build environment, potentially exposing secrets, configuration data, or other confidential information to anyone who gains access to the distributed application. This creates a persistent security risk where the sensitive data remains embedded in the application even after the original build environment is no longer accessible. The vulnerability affects the security posture of applications that rely on Electron Packager for distribution, as the final executable becomes a potential repository for sensitive information. Attackers who obtain access to the packaged application could extract this leaked memory content through reverse engineering or analysis techniques, potentially compromising the security of the application and underlying systems.
The recommended mitigation for this vulnerability is to upgrade to Electron Packager version 18.3.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the memory leakage issue. Organizations should immediately update their build processes and ensure all developers are using the patched version of the tool. Additionally, security teams should conduct thorough reviews of existing application packages to identify any potentially compromised distributions that may have been created using vulnerable versions. Regular security audits of build environments and packaging processes should be implemented to prevent similar issues in the future. Organizations should also consider implementing automated security scanning tools that can detect sensitive data exposure in application distributions. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in build tools and the potential for seemingly benign packaging operations to introduce security risks. This issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001, which covers "Unsecured Credentials" through information exposure, and highlights the need for secure software development practices throughout the entire application lifecycle rather than focusing solely on runtime security measures.