Bug#1049934: mutter: Proper focus is not given when a new window is launched from the overview

[asciiwolf at seznam.cz]

Package: mutter
Version: 43.6-1~deb12u1
Severity: important

Copied from an upstream bug report.[1] When opening a new app window from the overview, the window focus is not properly given to the new window and the user input still go to the old focused window. Both windows appear to be in focus, however, the old window has the proper focus.

In addition to being an annoyance for any Gnome users, this is also a major security concern. Frequently after launching applications with the activities overview, I will begin typing, assuming that application is focused. But in reality, I am typing into the previously focused window. This could result in authentication details or other private information being typed into unintended applications, such as chat apps for example.

The issue was fixed in latest main[2] and a fix is ready for gnome-44[3], however it is unclear whether it will also get fixed in gnome-43 upstream branch. Please, consider backporting the upstream fix from main/gnome-44.

[1] https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/mutter/-/issues/2690
[2] https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/mutter/-/merge_requests/3185
[3] https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/mutter/-/merge_requests/3186