Stories with Tag code injection

• How to gain code execution on hundreds of millions of people and popular apps

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  Posted: 2025-02-28 21:05:35

  Verbose tl;dr

  The blog post details a vulnerability in the "todesktop" protocol handler, used by numerous applications and websites to open links directly in desktop applications. By crafting malicious links using this protocol, an attacker can execute arbitrary commands on a victim's machine simply by getting them to click the link. This affects any application that registers a custom todesktop handler without properly sanitizing user-supplied input, including popular chat platforms, email clients, and web browsers. This vulnerability exposes hundreds of millions of users to potential remote code execution attacks. The author demonstrates practical exploits against several popular applications, emphasizing the severity and widespread nature of this issue. They urge developers to immediately review and secure their implementations of the todesktop protocol handler.

  This blog post, titled "How to gain code execution on hundreds of millions of people and popular apps," details a security vulnerability discovered by the author, affecting applications that utilize the "todesktop" protocol handler within web browsers. This protocol, designed to facilitate seamless transitions between web applications and their corresponding desktop counterparts, presents a significant attack surface when implemented insecurely.

  The core issue revolves around the lack of proper input validation and sanitization within applications that register themselves as handlers for the "todesktop" protocol. The author explains that when a user clicks a specially crafted link containing a malicious "todesktop" URL, the associated desktop application might blindly execute the provided parameters without sufficient scrutiny. This vulnerability allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary commands into the application's command-line arguments, potentially leading to remote code execution.

  The blog post provides a comprehensive breakdown of the attack process. It starts by explaining how an attacker could craft a malicious URL that triggers the "todesktop" protocol handler. It then details how a vulnerable application, upon receiving this URL, might directly pass the embedded parameters to its underlying command-line interface. The author emphasizes that this direct execution of unsanitized user-supplied input creates a critical security flaw, as it allows attackers to effectively control the application's behavior.

  Furthermore, the post highlights the widespread impact of this vulnerability, noting its potential to affect hundreds of millions of users across various popular applications. The author underscores the severity of the issue by demonstrating practical examples of how the vulnerability can be exploited to gain control over a victim's system. These examples range from relatively simple actions, such as opening arbitrary files or websites, to more sophisticated attacks involving the execution of arbitrary code.

  The post also delves into the technical intricacies of the vulnerability, explaining how it stems from a combination of factors, including the design of the "todesktop" protocol itself, the lack of clear security guidelines for its implementation, and the prevalent practice of inadequate input validation in many desktop applications. The author emphasizes the importance of proper input sanitization and validation as a crucial mitigation strategy against this type of attack.

  Finally, the post offers recommendations for developers to secure their applications against this vulnerability. The author advises developers to thoroughly validate and sanitize all user-supplied input, especially when handling URL parameters and command-line arguments. The post also suggests adopting a more restrictive approach to handling the "todesktop" protocol, including implementing strict whitelisting of allowed commands and parameters. This detailed explanation, coupled with practical examples and concrete remediation advice, provides a valuable resource for developers seeking to protect their applications and users from this potentially widespread security risk.

  • Code Execution
  • Vulnerability
  • Security
  • exploitation
  • hacking
  • Software Security
  • Cybersecurity
  • desktop apps
  • popular apps
  • large-scale attack
  • software vulnerability
  • code injection
  • Malware
  • Application Security

  Summary of Comments ( 20 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43210858

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News users discussed the practicality and ethics of the "todesktop" protocol, which allows websites to launch desktop apps. Several commenters pointed out existing similar functionalities like URL schemes and Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), questioning the novelty and necessity of todesktop. Concerns were raised about security implications, particularly the potential for malicious websites to exploit the protocol for unauthorized app launches. Some suggested that proper sandboxing and user confirmation could mitigate these risks, while others remained skeptical about the overall benefit outweighing the security concerns. The discussion also touched upon the potential for abuse by advertisers and the lack of clear benefits compared to existing solutions. A few commenters expressed interest in legitimate use cases, like streamlining workflows, but overall the sentiment leaned towards caution and skepticism due to the potential for malicious exploitation.

  The Hacker News post discussing the blog post "How to gain code execution on hundreds of millions of people and popular apps" has generated a significant number of comments, mostly revolving around the security implications of the todesktop protocol and its potential for misuse.

  Several commenters express concern about the ease with which malicious actors could exploit this protocol. They point out that the broad registration of todesktop handlers by many popular applications creates a large attack surface. One commenter highlights the potential for phishing attacks, where a malicious website could trick users into opening a crafted link that would then execute arbitrary code on their machine via a vulnerable application. Another user emphasizes the danger posed by typosquatting, where a slightly misspelled domain could register a todesktop handler and intercept traffic intended for a legitimate application.

  The discussion also touches on the responsibility of browser vendors in mitigating this threat. Some commenters argue that browsers should implement stricter security measures for handling todesktop requests, such as requiring user confirmation or limiting the types of applications that can register handlers. Others suggest that browsers should provide more prominent warnings about the potential risks associated with this protocol.

  A few commenters question the practicality of exploiting this vulnerability on a large scale. They point out that while the potential attack surface is large, successfully executing a widespread attack would require significant resources and expertise. However, others counter that the potential rewards of a successful attack, such as gaining access to sensitive data or disrupting critical infrastructure, are substantial enough to incentivize malicious actors.

  The lack of a clear solution is also a recurring theme in the comments. While some propose potential mitigation strategies, such as stricter browser security or improved developer awareness, there's no consensus on the best approach. Some commenters express frustration with the current state of web security and the apparent lack of foresight in designing protocols like todesktop.

  Some more technically inclined commenters discuss the specifics of the todesktop protocol and how it could be improved. They suggest ideas such as using cryptographic signatures to verify the legitimacy of todesktop requests or implementing a more granular permission system for applications that want to register handlers.

  Finally, a few commenters express skepticism about the severity of the issue, arguing that similar vulnerabilities have existed for years without being widely exploited. They suggest that the author of the blog post may be overstating the potential impact of this vulnerability. However, these comments are generally met with disagreement from other users who emphasize the growing reliance on web applications and the potential for significant damage if this vulnerability were to be exploited on a large scale. The overall tone of the discussion is one of concern and a desire for a more secure solution to handle custom URL protocols like todesktop.

• Fake VS Code Extension on NPM Spreads Multi-Stage Malware

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  Posted: 2025-02-07 06:58:10

  Verbose tl;dr

  A malicious VS Code extension masquerading as a legitimate "prettiest-json" package was discovered on the npm registry. This counterfeit extension delivered a multi-stage malware payload. Upon installation, it executed a malicious script that downloaded and ran further malware components. These components collected sensitive information from the infected system, including environment variables, running processes, and potentially even browser data like saved passwords and cookies, ultimately sending this exfiltrated data to a remote server controlled by the attacker.

  A malicious Visual Studio Code extension masquerading as a legitimate package, "LaTeX Workshop," has been discovered on the Node Package Manager (NPM) registry. This counterfeit extension, subtly named "latex-workshop," utilized typosquatting, a technique relying on common spelling errors, to deceive developers into downloading it instead of the genuine "LaTeX Workshop" extension. This malicious package represents a sophisticated multi-stage malware attack, designed to evade detection and compromise affected systems.

  Upon installation, the counterfeit extension executes a preinstall script. This script downloads a password-protected ZIP archive hosted on a Discord server, further obfuscating its malicious intent and making traditional static analysis more difficult. The use of a Discord server for hosting malicious payloads is a notable tactic, leveraging the platform's widespread use and potentially bypassing security measures focused on more typical malware distribution channels.

  The downloaded ZIP archive contains the primary payload, an obfuscated JavaScript file. This obfuscation technique makes it harder for security researchers and automated tools to understand the code’s functionality, thereby delaying detection and analysis. The malware also utilizes techniques to identify the infected machine's operating system, allowing it to download and execute a second-stage payload tailored to either Windows or macOS/Linux environments. This targeted approach increases the effectiveness of the malware and maximizes its potential impact.

  On Windows systems, the second-stage payload attempts to steal sensitive information, including stored browser credentials, system information, and details from cryptocurrency wallets. This data exfiltration targets valuable user data that can be exploited for financial gain or identity theft. On macOS and Linux systems, the second-stage payload employs a Python-based information stealer to achieve a similar goal, highlighting the attacker's cross-platform ambitions and sophistication.

  The discovery of this malicious extension underscores the ongoing risks associated with software supply chain attacks. By infiltrating a trusted repository like NPM, malicious actors can target a large number of developers and potentially compromise a significant number of systems. The use of multi-stage payloads, obfuscation, and typosquatting demonstrates the increasing complexity of these attacks and highlights the need for heightened vigilance and robust security measures within the software development lifecycle. Developers are strongly encouraged to meticulously verify the authenticity of extensions and packages before installation, paying close attention to package names and publisher details to avoid falling victim to these deceptive tactics. Furthermore, utilizing reputable security tools and staying informed about the latest threat landscape is crucial for mitigating the risks posed by such malicious software.

  • npm
  • Malware
  • visual studio code
  • VS Code
  • VS Code extensions
  • Security
  • Cybersecurity
  • software supply chain
  • Supply Chain Security
  • Software Security
  • multi-stage malware
  • malicious code
  • code injection
  • extension security
  • IDE security
  • developer tools security

  Summary of Comments ( 63 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42970169

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News commenters discuss the troubling implications of malicious packages slipping through npm's vetting process, with several expressing surprise that a popular IDE extension like "Prettier" could be so easily imitated and used to distribute malware. Some highlight the difficulty in detecting sophisticated, multi-stage attacks like this one, where the initial payload is relatively benign. Others point to the need for improved security measures within the npm ecosystem, including more robust code review and potentially stricter publishing guidelines. The discussion also touches on the responsibility of developers to carefully vet the extensions they install, emphasizing the importance of checking publisher verification, download counts, and community feedback before adding any extension to their workflow. Several users suggest using the official VS Code Marketplace as a safer alternative to installing extensions directly via npm.

  The Hacker News post "Fake VS Code Extension on NPM Spreads Multi-Stage Malware" has generated a number of comments discussing the incident and its implications.

  Several commenters express concern over the increasing prevalence of malicious packages on npm, highlighting the difficulty in vetting every extension or dependency. They point out that the open-source nature of the ecosystem and the ease of publishing packages make it a prime target for malicious actors. This incident further fuels the ongoing discussion about improving security measures on npm, including better verification and detection mechanisms.

  One commenter mentions the potential effectiveness of sandboxing extensions, suggesting it as a crucial step in mitigating the impact of such malware. This idea resonates with others who advocate for stronger isolation between extensions and the core editor to limit the potential damage.

  Some users discuss the specific tactics used in this attack, like typosquatting (using a slightly misspelled package name) and the multi-stage delivery mechanism of the malware, emphasizing the sophistication and deliberate effort involved. They point to the need for developers to be more vigilant in checking package details before installation, including examining the publisher, download counts, and community feedback.

  The discussion also touches upon the responsibility of repository maintainers like npm to implement more robust security measures. Suggestions include more stringent vetting processes for new packages, enhanced malware detection algorithms, and potentially even reputation systems for publishers.

  One commenter wryly observes that the irony of a malware-laden extension aimed at developers who are, in theory, more security-conscious highlights the insidious nature of these threats.

  A few users share personal anecdotes of encountering suspicious packages and emphasize the importance of community reporting and vigilance in identifying and flagging such malicious activity. The ease with which malicious actors can publish packages is contrasted with the difficulty of fully securing the ecosystem, highlighting the ongoing challenge.

  Finally, some comments delve into technical details of the malware's behavior, discussing the obfuscation techniques used and the potential payload delivered. This contributes to a more technical understanding of the threat and how developers can better protect themselves.