CVE-2022-32278Network attack vector

Remote code execution via untrusted desktop launcher

Published Jun 13, 2022 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Code execution in Xfce Exo 4.16 allows remote attackers to run arbitrary commands when xdg-open opens a remote .desktop file. The exo_open_launch_desktop_file function loads and executes launcher contents from non-file URI schemes without restricting them to local files. A user must invoke xdg-open on an attacker-controlled FTP URI, after which the launcher runs with that user's privileges.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability1.67%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Code execution in Xfce Exo 4.16 allows remote attackers to run arbitrary commands when xdg-open opens a remote .desktop file. The exo_open_launch_desktop_file function loads and executes launcher contents from non-file URI schemes without restricting them to local files. A user must invoke xdg-open on an attacker-controlled FTP URI, after which the launcher runs with that user's privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-32278
Published
Jun 13, 2022
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
T1204.002
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 13, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

6.8NIST NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
8.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

T1204.002User Execution Malicious File

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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