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CVE-2020-4075

Arbitrary file read via window-open IPC in Electron

6.8 MediumFix available

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.

Attack profile

How easy it is to exploit

Attack vector
Network
Complexity
High
Privileges needed
None
User interaction
None

What an attacker can affect

Confidentiality
High
Integrity
None
Availability
None

Exploit likelihood

1.18%Up 0.6 points since Apr 14, 2021
90%50%10%1%

What each source reports

CVE List Score used 6.8

Arbitrary file read via window-open IPC in Electron

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.

Record
CVE-2020-4075
CVSS 3.1
6.8 MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N
Weakness
CWE-552
Updated
2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2020-0553 6.8

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.

Record
EUVD-2020-0553
CVSS 3.1
6.8 MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N
Updated
2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-f9mq-jph6-9mhm 6.8

Arbitrary file read via window-open IPC in Electron

Impact

The vulnerability allows arbitrary local file read by defining unsafe window options on a child window opened via window.open.

Workarounds

Ensure you are calling event.preventDefault() on all new-window events where the url or options is not something you expect.

Fixed Versions

  • 9.0.0-beta.21
  • 8.2.4
  • 7.2.4

For more information

If you have any questions or comments about this advisory:

Record
GHSA-f9mq-jph6-9mhm
CVSS 3.1
6.8 MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N
Weakness
CWE-552
Updated
2026-11-02
NVD 6.8

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.

Record
CVE-2020-4075
CVSS 3.1
6.8 MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N
CVSS 3.1
7.5 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
CVSS 2.0
2.1 LowAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N
Weakness
CWE-552
Updated
2026-11-02
OSV 7.5

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.

Record
CVE-2020-4075
CVSS 3.1
7.5 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVGHSA-f9mq-jph6-9mhm 6.8

Arbitrary file read via window-open IPC in Electron

Impact

The vulnerability allows arbitrary local file read by defining unsafe window options on a child window opened via window.open.

Workarounds

Ensure you are calling event.preventDefault() on all new-window events where the url or options is not something you expect.

Fixed Versions

  • 9.0.0-beta.21
  • 8.2.4
  • 7.2.4

For more information

If you have any questions or comments about this advisory:

Record
GHSA-f9mq-jph6-9mhm
CVSS 3.1
6.8 MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N
Weakness
CWE-552
Updated
2026-11-02

Affected products

Affected packages

Affected packages
PackageAffectedFixed
electron
npm
8.0.0 up to 8.2.4
8.2.4
electron
npm
before 7.2.4
7.2.4

History

History
RecordedChangedSources
aliasesEUVD
first indexedCVE List, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV

Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.

In short

CVE-2020-4075 is a medium vulnerability (CVSS 6.8) in Electron, published July 7, 2020. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 1.18%, the 67th percentile. Fixed in electron 8.2.4.

References

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