Program execution via unrestricted deep-link loading
Published Feb 1, 2022 · Updated May 5, 2025
Use-after-free in Element Desktop before 1.9.7 allows remote attackers to execute a local binary after two clicks on a malicious link. The processUrl deep-link handler loaded unrestricted element URLs into the main Electron window, exposing Electron 13.5.1's V8 use-after-free. The user must click the malicious link and then another button; successful exploitation opens an attacker-chosen local binary without arguments, while some configurations also handle attacker-chosen URI schemes.
Summary
What happened
Use-after-free in Element Desktop before 1.9.7 allows remote attackers to execute a local binary after two clicks on a malicious link. The processUrl deep-link handler loaded unrestricted element URLs into the main Electron window, exposing Electron 13.5.1's V8 use-after-free. The user must click the malicious link and then another button; successful exploitation opens an attacker-chosen local binary without arguments, while some configurations also handle attacker-chosen URI schemes.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2022-23597
- Published
- Feb 1, 2022
- Updated
- May 5, 2025
- Vendor
- Unknown vendor
- Product
- Unknown product
- Classifications
- CWE-416, T1204.001
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Feb 1, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- May 5, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
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What is affected?
Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
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Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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