CVE-2025-55305 in Electron
Summary
by MITRE • 09/05/2025
Electron is a framework for writing cross-platform desktop applications using JavaScript, HTML and CSS. In versions below 35.7.5, 36.0.0-alpha.1 through 36.8.0, 37.0.0-alpha.1 through 37.3.1 and 38.0.0-alpha.1 through 38.0.0-beta.6, ASAR Integrity Bypass via resource modification. This only impacts apps that have the embeddedAsarIntegrityValidation and onlyLoadAppFromAsar fuses enabled. Apps without these fuses enabled are not impacted. This issue is fixed in versions 35.7.5, 36.8.1, 37.3.1 and 38.0.0-beta.6.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2025-55305 represents a critical security flaw in the Electron framework that affects applications utilizing specific security fuses. This issue specifically targets the ASAR (Atom Shell Archive Format) integrity validation mechanisms within Electron applications, creating a potential pathway for malicious actors to bypass security controls. The vulnerability is particularly significant because it only affects applications that have explicitly enabled two specific fuses: embeddedAsarIntegrityValidation and onlyLoadAppFromAsar. These fuses are designed to enhance security by ensuring that application resources remain unmodified and that the application only loads from the ASAR archive. The flaw exists in Electron versions prior to 35.7.5, 36.8.1, 37.3.1, and 38.0.0-beta.6, making it a widespread concern across multiple release branches of the framework.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper validation of ASAR archive integrity checks within the Electron runtime. When applications enable the embeddedAsarIntegrityValidation fuse, they expect that any modification to the ASAR archive will be detected and prevented. However, the flaw allows attackers to manipulate resources within the ASAR archive without triggering the integrity validation mechanisms. This occurs because the validation logic fails to properly account for certain modification patterns or does not perform comprehensive checks across all archive components. The onlyLoadAppFromAsar fuse, when combined with the vulnerability, creates a scenario where an attacker can bypass the intended security controls by modifying resources that should remain protected. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and integrity verification that these security features are meant to enforce. The vulnerability can be categorized under CWE-276, which addresses improper privileges, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1553.001 for subverting trust controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, creating potential for more severe security breaches within Electron-based applications. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can modify application resources without detection, potentially leading to code injection, data manipulation, or complete application compromise. The implications are particularly concerning for applications that rely on Electron's security features for protecting sensitive functionality or user data. Since the vulnerability only affects applications with specific fuses enabled, developers who have implemented these security measures may unknowingly create attack vectors that undermine their intended protections. The attack surface is further expanded because Electron applications are commonly used for desktop software that handles sensitive information, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments. Organizations deploying Electron applications should immediately assess their use of these security fuses and implement appropriate mitigations.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading affected Electron applications to versions that contain the security patches. The fixed versions 35.7.5, 36.8.1, 37.3.1, and 38.0.0-beta.6 address the root cause by implementing proper ASAR integrity validation checks that correctly identify and prevent resource modifications. Organizations should conduct immediate vulnerability assessments to identify applications that are using the affected Electron versions and have the vulnerable fuses enabled. For applications that cannot immediately upgrade, temporary mitigations may include disabling the problematic fuses if feasible, though this reduces overall security. The security community should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized modifications to ASAR archives, as these modifications may not be immediately apparent through normal application behavior. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of comprehensive security testing for frameworks that handle application integrity and trust management. The remediation process should include thorough regression testing to ensure that the security fixes do not introduce compatibility issues with existing application functionality.