CVE-2023-28101: flatpak Improper Encoding or Escaping of Output

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2023-28101 is a medium (CVSS 5.0) Improper Encoding or Escaping of Output vulnerability in flatpak. EPSS estimates a 0.88% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 58.6% of scored vulnerabilities.

Timeline

1. 16-03-2023
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 25-02-2025
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

Flatpak is a system for building, distributing, and running sandboxed desktop applications on Linux. In versions prior to 1.10.8, 1.12.8, 1.14.4, and 1.15.4, if an attacker publishes a Flatpak app with elevated permissions, they can hide those permissions from users of the `flatpak(1)` command-line interface by setting other permissions to crafted values that contain non-printable control characters such as `ESC`. A fix is available in versions 1.10.8, 1.12.8, 1.14.4, and 1.15.4. As a workaround, use a GUI like GNOME Software rather than the command-line interface, or only install apps whose maintainers you trust.

• CWE-116Improper Encoding or Escaping of OutputThe product prepares a structured message for communication with another component, but encoding or escaping of the data is either missing or done incorrectly. As a result, the intended structure of the message is not preserved.