CVE-2024-6655 in GTK
Summary
by MITRE • 07/16/2024
A flaw was found in the GTK library. Under certain conditions, it is possible for a library to be injected into a GTK application from the current working directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-6655 resides within the GTK (GIMP Toolkit) library, a widely-used graphical user interface toolkit for creating desktop applications across various operating systems including linux windows and macos. This flaw represents a significant security concern as it enables malicious code injection through improper library loading mechanisms. The vulnerability manifests when GTK applications fail to properly validate or restrict library loading from the current working directory, creating an attack surface where adversaries can potentially place malicious shared libraries that will be loaded and executed by the application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insecure library loading practices within the GTK framework. When applications using GTK dynamically load shared libraries, they typically search through predefined paths including the current working directory. This behavior becomes exploitable when an attacker can influence the application's working directory or place malicious libraries in locations where the application expects to find legitimate dependencies. The flaw specifically impacts applications that rely on GTK for their graphical interfaces and may be particularly dangerous in environments where users can execute arbitrary code or have write access to application directories. This issue falls under the broader category of library injection vulnerabilities and is classified as a software fault in library loading mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-6655 extends beyond simple code execution as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges, steal sensitive data, or compromise entire systems through seemingly legitimate application processes. Applications that are vulnerable include any GTK-based desktop applications such as file managers, system utilities, and various productivity tools. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited without requiring elevated privileges, making it accessible to casual attackers. Attackers can leverage this flaw by placing malicious libraries in the current working directory of the target application, potentially executing arbitrary code with the privileges of the running process. This type of vulnerability aligns with attack patterns described in the attack tree methodology where local privilege escalation and code injection are common initial access vectors.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability involve multiple layers of defense including immediate patching of affected GTK versions, implementing proper library loading security practices, and applying operating system level restrictions. System administrators should ensure that all GTK-based applications are updated to versions that address this vulnerability through proper library loading mechanisms that prioritize system directories over the current working directory. The implementation of secure coding practices such as using absolute paths for library loading, implementing library signature verification, and employing sandboxing techniques can significantly reduce the risk. Additionally, operating system security features like address space layout randomization and stack canaries can provide additional protection against exploitation attempts. This vulnerability is particularly relevant to the CWE-427 weakness category which describes uncontrolled search path, and aligns with ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and code injection through system libraries. Organizations should also implement monitoring for suspicious library loading activities and maintain strict control over application execution environments to prevent unauthorized library placement.