CVE-2020-15258
HIGHWire < 3.20.2934 - Remote Code Execution via Unvalidated URL Protocol Handling
Title source: llmDescription
In Wire before 3.20.x, `shell.openExternal` was used without checking the URL. This vulnerability allows an attacker to execute code on the victims machine by sending messages containing links with arbitrary protocols. The victim has to interact with the link and sees the URL that is opened. The issue was patched by implementing a helper function which checks if the URL's protocol is common. If it is common, the URL will be opened externally. If not, the URL will not be opened and a warning appears for the user informing them that a probably insecure URL was blocked from being executed. The issue is patched in Wire 3.20.x. More technical details about exploitation are available in the linked advisory.
References (3)
Core 3
Core References
Exploit, Third Party Advisory x_refsource_confirm
https://github.com/wireapp/wire-desktop/security/advisories/GHSA-5gpx-9976-ggpm
Patch, Third Party Advisory x_refsource_misc
https://github.com/wireapp/wire-desktop/commit/b3705fffa75a03f055530f55a754face5ac0623b
Exploit, Third Party Advisory x_refsource_misc
https://benjamin-altpeter.de/shell-openexternal-dangers/
Scores
CVSS v3
8.0
EPSS
0.0200
EPSS Percentile
78.3%
Attack Vector
NETWORK
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Details
CWE
CWE-20
Status
published
Products (1)
wire/wire
< 3.20.2934
Published
Oct 16, 2020
Tracked Since
Feb 18, 2026