CVE-2025-54871 in electroncapture
Summary
by MITRE • 08/05/2025
Electron Capture facilitates video playback for screen-sharing and capture. In versions 2.19.1 and below, the elecap app on macOS allows local unprivileged users to bypass macOS TCC privacy protections by enabling ELECTRON_RUN_AS_NODE. This environment variable allows arbitrary Node.js code to be executed via the -e flag, which runs inside the main Electron context, inheriting any previously granted TCC entitlements (such as access to Documents, Downloads, etc.). This issue is fixed in version 2.20.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/10/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2025-54871 affects Electron Capture, a component designed for video playback during screen-sharing and capture operations on macOS systems. This application operates within the Electron framework, which provides a cross-platform environment for building desktop applications using web technologies. The flaw exists in versions 2.19.1 and earlier, where the elecap application fails to properly enforce macOS Transparency, Consent, and Control (TCC) privacy protections that are fundamental to the operating system's security model. These protections are designed to prevent applications from accessing sensitive user data without explicit permission, including documents, downloads, and other personal files.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the manipulation of the ELECTRON_RUN_AS_NODE environment variable, which represents a critical design flaw in the application's security architecture. When this variable is set, it enables the execution of arbitrary Node.js code through the -e flag mechanism, effectively allowing code execution within the main Electron context. This context inherits all previously granted TCC entitlements that the application may have received during user consent processes, creating a pathway for privilege escalation. The vulnerability demonstrates a failure in the principle of least privilege, where a local unprivileged user can leverage the application's legitimate Node.js execution capabilities to bypass the operating system's built-in privacy controls. This represents a direct violation of security boundaries and allows for unauthorized access to user data that should be protected by macOS TCC mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data access, as it enables a range of malicious activities that could compromise user privacy and system integrity. An attacker with local access could potentially exfiltrate sensitive documents, access personal files stored in Downloads or Documents directories, and perform other unauthorized operations that would normally be restricted by macOS privacy controls. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the system level within the Electron framework, allowing for deep integration with the operating system's security model. This issue aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and specifically demonstrates a failure in privilege management where legitimate application functionality is abused to bypass security controls. The attack vector is relatively straightforward, requiring only local user access and the ability to manipulate environment variables, making it accessible to a wide range of threat actors.
The remediation for this vulnerability involves upgrading to version 2.20.0 or later, which implements proper security controls to prevent the exploitation of the ELECTRON_RUN_AS_NODE environment variable. This fix addresses the root cause by ensuring that the application properly enforces TCC protections even when Node.js execution is enabled, preventing the inheritance of previously granted entitlements to unauthorized code execution. Organizations should implement immediate patch management procedures to update affected systems and consider monitoring for potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper environment variable handling in cross-platform applications and demonstrates the need for comprehensive security testing of Electron-based applications. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and can be categorized under T1548.001 for abuse of elevation tools, representing a sophisticated attack method that leverages legitimate application functionality for malicious purposes. The fix should include additional validation of environment variables and proper isolation of Node.js execution contexts to prevent unauthorized access to system resources.