CVE-2020-4075: Electron Arbitrary File Read Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-f9mq-jph6-9mhm
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CVSS 6.8
CWE-552
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2020-4075 is a MODERATE (CVSS 6.8) arbitrary file read vulnerability (CWE-552: Files or Directories Accessible to External Parties) affecting Electron libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves arbitrary file read via window-open ipc in electron. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 7.2.4, 8.2.4.

CVE-2020-4075 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2020-4075
GHSA Identifier GHSA-f9mq-jph6-9mhm
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 6.8
CWE Classification CWE-552: Files or Directories Accessible to External Parties
Affected Product Electron
Package Ecosystem npm
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 6.8

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity High (AC:H)
Privileges Required None (PR:N)
User Interaction None (UI:N)
Scope Changed (S:C)
Confidentiality High (C:H)
Integrity None (I:N)
Availability None (A:N)

How to Fix CVE-2020-4075

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Electron dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

electron fixed: 7.2.4 
npm install electron@7.2.4
electron fixed: 8.2.4 
npm install electron@8.2.4
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

npm ls electron

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Node.js application is affected by CVE-2020-4075, inspect your project dependencies using npm:

npm ls electron

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Electron in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 7.2.4), your application is affected.

Note: The npm ls electron command inspects dependencies declared in your package.json and lockfile; it does not perform automated runtime dynamic scanning.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-552: Files or Directories Accessible to External Parties, where the product makes files or directories accessible to unauthorized actors, even though they should not be. In Electron, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

### Impact The vulnerability allows arbitrary local file read by defining unsafe window options on a child window opened via window.open. ### Workarounds Ensure you are calling `event.preventDefault()` on all [`new-window`](https://electronjs.org/docs/api/web-contents#event-new-window) events where the `url` or `options` is not something you expect. ### Fixed Versions * `9.0.0-beta.21` * `8.2.4` * `7.2.4` ### For more information If you have any questions or comments about this advisory: * Email us at [security@electronjs.org](mailto:security@electronjs.org)

CVE-2020-4075 Affected Electron Versions

2 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
7.2.48.2.4
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
electron
npm/electron
npm
< 7.2.4
7.2.4
electron
npm/electron
npm
≥ 8.0.0
< 8.2.4
8.2.4

References

GitHub Advisory / Wiki ADVISORY
https://github.com/electron/electron/security/advisories/GHSA-f9mq-jph6-9mhm
NVD — CVE-2020-4075 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-4075
Electron Release RELEASE
https://www.electronjs.org/releases/stable?page=3#release-notes-for-v824

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-4075?
CVE-2020-4075 is a security vulnerability in Electron involving Arbitrary file read via window-open IPC in Electron under CWE-552: Files or Directories Accessible to External Parties.
Which Electron versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 7.2.4, 8.2.4 across affected packages: electron.
What version fixes CVE-2020-4075?
Upgrading to 7.2.4, 8.2.4 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is electron affected?
Yes, electron is affected in releases prior to 7.2.4, 8.2.4. Upgrade your dependency to 7.2.4, 8.2.4 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2020-4075?
CVE-2020-4075 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.8 (MODERATE) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2020-4075?
CVE-2020-4075 is classified under CWE-552: Files or Directories Accessible to External Parties (The product makes files or directories accessible to unauthorized actors, even though they should not be.).
How can I check npm dependencies for CVE-2020-4075?
Run the dependency tree command: 'npm ls electron'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-f9mq-jph6-9mhm",
  "modified" : "2021-01-07T23:48:36Z",
  "published" : "2020-07-07T00:01:13Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2020-4075" ],
  "summary" : "Arbitrary file read via window-open IPC in Electron",
  "details" : "### Impact\nThe vulnerability allows arbitrary local file read by defining unsafe window options on a child window opened via window.open.\n\n### Workarounds\nEnsure you are calling `event.preventDefault()` on all [`new-window`](https://electronjs.org/docs/api/web-contents#event-new-window) events where the `url` or `options` is not something you expect.\n\n### Fixed Versions\n* `9.0.0-beta.21`\n* `8.2.4`\n* `7.2.4`\n\n### For more information\nIf you have any questions or comments about this advisory:\n* Email us at [security@electronjs.org](mailto:security@electronjs.org)",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "electron"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "7.2.4"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "electron"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "8.0.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "8.2.4"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/electron/electron/security/advisories/GHSA-f9mq-jph6-9mhm"
  }, {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-4075"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.electronjs.org/releases/stable?page=3#release-notes-for-v824"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-552" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2020-07-06T23:54:56Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : null
  }
}