CVE-2024-45835 in Desktop App
Summary
by MITRE • 09/16/2024
Mattermost Desktop App versions <=5.8.0 fail to sufficiently configure Electron Fuses which allows an attacker to gather Chromium cookies or abuse other misconfigurations via remote/local access.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-45835 affects Mattermost Desktop App versions 5.8.0 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw stemming from improper Electron Fuses configuration within the application framework. This misconfiguration creates exploitable conditions that enable attackers to access Chromium cookies and leverage additional security weaknesses through both remote and local access vectors. The issue resides in the Electron-based desktop application architecture where Fuses serve as security controls that govern various aspects of the underlying Chromium engine behavior, including cookie handling, network security policies, and sandboxing mechanisms.
Electron Fuses represent a set of security switches that control how the Electron framework operates and interact with the underlying Chromium browser engine. When these fuses are improperly configured, they can disable critical security features that normally protect against cookie theft, cross-site scripting attacks, and other browser-based vulnerabilities. The flaw allows attackers to exploit the desktop application's cookie storage mechanisms, potentially gaining access to authentication tokens, session information, and other sensitive data that should normally be protected by Chromium's security model. This vulnerability particularly affects the desktop application's ability to maintain secure cookie isolation and proper security boundaries between different application components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple cookie theft to encompass broader security compromise possibilities through multiple attack vectors. Remote attackers can potentially exploit this flaw by persuading users to visit malicious websites or by leveraging other initial access methods that lead to desktop application interaction. Local attackers can directly manipulate the application's behavior and access stored credentials through the misconfigured security boundaries. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat surface where session hijacking, credential theft, and privilege escalation become possible, particularly when users maintain active Mattermost sessions that rely on stored cookies for authentication.
Security mitigations for CVE-2024-45835 primarily focus on immediate application updates to versions that properly configure Electron Fuses, specifically addressing the cookie handling and security boundary configurations. Organizations should implement mandatory application updates through enterprise management systems and verify that updated versions properly enforce Electron security controls. Network administrators should monitor for suspicious application behavior and implement endpoint detection measures that can identify unauthorized cookie access attempts. The fix addresses the underlying CWE-16 configuration error by ensuring proper security boundary enforcement and cookie isolation mechanisms. This vulnerability also relates to ATT&CK technique T1531 which involves modifying application execution flows to gain access to credentials, and T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol usage for data exfiltration through compromised desktop applications.
The remediation process requires careful verification that updated Mattermost Desktop App versions properly implement Electron Fuses configuration, particularly those related to cookie storage, network security policies, and sandbox enforcement. Security teams should conduct thorough testing to ensure that the updated application maintains proper isolation between different security contexts while preserving legitimate application functionality. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as application whitelisting, network monitoring for unusual cookie access patterns, and regular security assessments of desktop application configurations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper framework security configuration management and demonstrates how seemingly minor configuration errors can create significant security risks in desktop applications that rely on browser-based security models.