# CVE-2024-32986: Arbitrary code execution due to improper sanitization of web app properties in PWAsForFirefox

> Malicious web apps can inject code into desktop entries on Linux and PortableApps, allowing arbitrary code execution when launched.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.7 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 3 May 2024
- **Updated:** 2 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-jmhv-m7v5-g5jq

## What is CVE-2024-32986?

CVE-2024-32986 is a critical code injection vulnerability in filips123 PWAsForFirefox, published on 3 May 2024. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

PWAsForFirefox is a tool to install, manage and use Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) in Mozilla Firefox. Due to improper sanitization of web app properties (such as name, description, shortcuts), web apps were able to inject additional lines into XDG Desktop Entries (on Linux) and `AppInfo.ini` (on PortableApps.com). This allowed malicious web apps to introduce keys like `Exec`, which could run arbitrary code when the affected web app was launched. This vulnerability affects all Linux and PortableApps.com users of all PWAsForFirefox versions up to (excluding) 2.12.0. Windows and macOS users are not affected. This vulnerability has been fixed in commit `9932d4b` which has been included in release in v2.12.0. The main fix is implemented in the native part, but the extension also contains additional fixes. All Linux and PortableApps.com users are advised to update to this version as soon as possible. It is also recommended for Windows and macOS users to update to this version, as it contains additional fixes related to properties sanitization. There are no known workarounds for this vulnerability.

Weakness: CWE-74 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component), CWE-93 (Improper Neutralization of CRLF Sequences), CWE-150 (Improper Neutralization of Escape, Meta, or Control Sequences)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2024-32986?


## How do I fix CVE-2024-32986?

No fix has been published for CVE-2024-32986 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2024-32986 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2024-32986 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2024-32986 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2024-32986 is a critical code injection vulnerability in filips123 PWAsForFirefox, published on 3 May 2024. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2024-32986 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: filips123 PWAsForFirefox. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-32986/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-32986/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2024-32986
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-32986
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2024-32986

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-32986/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.