CVE-2020-4075 Arbitrary file read via window-open IPC in Electron
Attackers can read arbitrary local files by exploiting unsafe window options in child windows opened via window.open in Electron applications.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2020-4075?
CVE-2020-4075 is a medium-severity path traversal vulnerability in Electronjs Electron, published on 7 Jul 2020. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Official description
In Electron before versions 7.2.4, 8.2.4, and 9.0.0-beta21, arbitrary local file read is possible by defining unsafe window options on a child window opened via window.open. As a workaround, ensure you are calling `event.preventDefault()` on all new-window events where the `url` or `options` is not something you expect. This is fixed in versions 9.0.0-beta.21, 8.2.4 and 7.2.4.
Weakness: CWE-552
Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-4075?
4 open source packages ship an affected version, including electron. It affects 1 product.
| Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
electron npm | All versions | 7.2.4 |
electron npm | All versions | 7.2.4 |
electron npm | From 8.0.0 | 8.2.4 |
electron npm | From 8.0.0 | 8.2.4 |
Products include Electronjs Electron.
How do I fix CVE-2020-4075?
Upgrade electron to a fixed version for your release line: 7.2.4 or 8.2.4.
Upgrade, and resolve every user-supplied path against an allowed base folder before opening it. More about Path traversal.
Is CVE-2020-4075 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2020-4075 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Electronjs Electron
- CVE-2017-16151 Chromium Remote Code Execution in electron
- CVE-2018-1000118 Electron protocol handler browser vulnerable to Command Injection
- CVE-2026-34780 Electron: Context Isolation bypass via contextBridge VideoFrame transfer
- CVE-2026-102676 Electron: <webview> can enable Node.js integration in Web Workers despite embedder restrictions
- CVE-2026-102673 Electron drops inherited HTML sandbox restrictions for popups opened through OpenURLFromTab
Sources
Also known as GHSA-f9mq-jph6-9mhm.