CVE-2022-41874 is a medium severity vulnerability affecting the Tauri framework, which is used to build desktop applications across major platforms including Windows, macOS, and Linux. The vulnerability arises from improper escaping of special characters in file paths selected via the file dialog or drag-and-drop functionality. This flaw leads to an Incorrectly-Resolved Name issue (CWE-706) and Exposure of Resource to Wrong Sphere (CWE-668), allowing a partial bypass of the framework's file system (fs) scope restrictions. Specifically, when a user selects a file or directory through the file picker or drag-and-drop, the path is automatically added to an allow list at runtime. Due to incorrect handling of special characters in these paths, an attacker can craft malicious files or directories adjacent to allowed paths to gain unauthorized access to neighboring files or subfolders that should otherwise be restricted. The vulnerability does not permit traversal to arbitrary paths outside the vicinity of allowed directories, limiting the scope of exploitation. The impact varies across operating systems because of differences in valid path character specifications on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Exploitation requires user interaction, specifically the user selecting a malicious file or directory controlled by an adversary. The attacker must also have a mechanism to leverage access to these files once the bypass is successful. The issue was addressed in Tauri versions 1.0.7, 1.1.2, and 1.2.0. As a temporary mitigation, disabling the file dialog and drag-and-drop components in the tauri.conf.json configuration file can prevent exploitation. No known exploits have been reported in the wild to date.

For European organizations using Tauri-based desktop applications, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized local file access within the scope of user-selected directories. While the attacker cannot access arbitrary system files, the ability to bypass fs scope restrictions to neighboring files could lead to exposure of sensitive data stored in adjacent folders. This may include configuration files, cached credentials, or proprietary documents, depending on the application context. The requirement for user interaction reduces the likelihood of remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments where users may be tricked into selecting malicious files through social engineering or supply chain compromises. The impact differs by platform due to OS-specific path handling, so organizations with mixed OS environments must consider all variants. Although no active exploitation is known, the vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks against European enterprises developing or deploying Tauri applications, particularly in sectors with high-value intellectual property or sensitive data such as finance, healthcare, and government. The partial bypass of fs scope constraints undermines the security model of Tauri applications, potentially facilitating lateral movement or data leakage within compromised endpoints.

1. Upgrade all Tauri framework dependencies to versions 1.0.7, 1.1.2, 1.2.0, or later to ensure the vulnerability is patched. 2. As an immediate workaround, disable the file dialog and drag-and-drop features by setting 'fileDropEnabled' and disabling the dialog component in the tauri.conf.json configuration file to prevent user selection of potentially malicious paths. 3. Implement strict validation and sanitization of file paths within the application code beyond the framework's default handling to detect and reject suspicious special characters or path manipulations. 4. Educate users on the risks of selecting files or directories from untrusted sources, emphasizing caution with file dialogs and drag-and-drop operations. 5. Conduct code audits and penetration testing focused on file system access controls in Tauri applications, especially if custom modifications to fs scope are present. 6. Monitor application logs for unusual file access patterns or errors related to path resolution that could indicate attempted exploitation. 7. For organizations distributing Tauri-based software, consider implementing application-level sandboxing or additional OS-level access controls to limit the impact of any fs scope bypass. 8. Maintain an inventory of Tauri usage across the organization to identify and prioritize remediation efforts.