CVE-2022-36077 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A security vulnerability has been identified in the Electron framework that allows the exfiltration of hashed SMB credentials on Windows systems. This vulnerability, assigned the CVE ID CVE-2022-36077, poses a risk to users running Electron applications on affected versions.

Understanding CVE-2022-36077

This section provides an overview of the CVE-2022-36077 vulnerability in the Electron framework.

What is CVE-2022-36077?

The Electron framework, used for developing cross-platform desktop applications with web technologies, is susceptible to exposing sensitive information related to hashed SMB credentials on Windows operating systems. The vulnerability arises from a delay in checking redirects to

file://

URLs from other schemes, potentially leading to NTLM authentication attempts with hashed credentials.

The Impact of CVE-2022-36077

The impact of CVE-2022-36077 includes the unauthorized exposure of sensitive information, particularly hashed credentials, to potential attackers. Windows systems may unwittingly connect to malicious servers, initiating NTLM authentication processes and potentially compromising user credentials.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-36077

Explore the technical aspects of the CVE-2022-36077 vulnerability to understand how it affects systems and what steps can be taken to mitigate the risk.

Vulnerability Description

Electron versions prior to 21.0.0-beta.1, 20.0.1, 19.0.11, and 18.3.7 are affected by this vulnerability, allowing attackers to trigger NTLM authentication attempts on Windows systems via crafted redirects to SMB URLs. Electron's handling of file redirects from other URL schemes introduces the security loophole exploited in this scenario.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts Electron versions below 21.0.0-beta.1, 20.0.1, 19.0.11, and 18.3.7. Systems running these versions are at risk of NTLM authentication payload being sent to unauthorized servers.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the CVE-2022-36077 vulnerability by crafting malicious redirects to SMB URLs, triggering Windows systems to connect to specified servers and initiate NTLM authentication processes. This allows unauthorized access to hashed credentials, posing significant security risks.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address the CVE-2022-36077 vulnerability and enhance security measures, immediate steps and long-term practices should be implemented.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to upgrade Electron to the latest stable version to patch the vulnerability. For systems where immediate upgrades are not feasible, implementing code to prevent redirects to

file://

URLs in the

WebContents.on('will-redirect')

event can serve as a temporary workaround.

Long-Term Security Practices

Adopting secure coding practices and conducting regular security audits can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from arising in Electron applications. Stay informed about security updates and best practices to enhance overall system security.

Patching and Updates

It is critical for Electron users to regularly check for security updates and patches released by the Electron development team. Timely application of patches can help mitigate risks associated with known vulnerabilities and ensure a secure application environment.