Host file read-write via symlinked persist directory
Published Aug 15, 2024 · Updated Apr 2, 2025
Sandbox escape in Flatpak before 1.14.10 and 1.15.0 through 1.15.9 allows local users to read and write host files via a malicious app. The persistent-directory mount path in flatpak_context_append_bwrap_filesystem follows a symlink placed at ~/.var/app/$APPID/subdir and bind-mounts its target inside the sandbox. Exploitation requires an installed malicious or compromised app with the persistent permission; the exposed target can then be read or modified with the local user's host privileges.
Summary
What happened
Sandbox escape in Flatpak before 1.14.10 and 1.15.0 through 1.15.9 allows local users to read and write host files via a malicious app. The persistent-directory mount path in flatpak_context_append_bwrap_filesystem follows a symlink placed at ~/.var/app/$APPID/subdir and bind-mounts its target inside the sandbox. Exploitation requires an installed malicious or compromised app with the persistent permission; the exposed target can then be read or modified with the local user's host privileges.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2024-42472
- Published
- Aug 15, 2024
- Updated
- Apr 2, 2025
- Vendor
- Flatpak
- Product
- Flatpak
- Classifications
- CWE-74, T1611
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- Unavailable
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 15, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Apr 2, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=0 <1.14.10
- Affected versionversion=< 1.14.10
- Affected versionversion=>= 1.15.0, < 1.15.10
- Affected versionversion=1.15.0 <1.15.10
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- Upstream persistent-directory symlink proof of conceptproof of concept · demonstrated
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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