CVE-2026-43940 electerm: Path traversal in electerm runWidget leads to arbitrary code execution
Attackers can achieve arbitrary code execution via path traversal in the runWidget function, compromising the system.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-43940?
CVE-2026-43940 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in electerm, published on 8 May 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
electerm is an open-sourced terminal/ssh/sftp/telnet/serialport/RDP/VNC/Spice/ftp client. Prior to version 3.7.16, the runWidget function in src/app/widgets/load-widget.js constructs a file path by directly concatenating user‑supplied widget identifiers without any sanitisation. Because runWidget is exposed to the renderer process via an asynchronous IPC handler with no input validation, an attacker who achieves JavaScript execution inside the renderer (for example, through a malicious plugin or a cross‑site scripting flaw in the built‑in webview) can abuse a path traversal (../) to load and execute an arbitrary JavaScript file anywhere on the victim’s filesystem. This gives the attacker local code execution with the full privileges of the electerm process, leading to complete system compromise. This issue has been patched in version 3.7.16.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-43940?
2 open source packages ship an affected version, including electerm. It affects 1 product.
| Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
electerm npm | All versions | 3.7.16 |
electerm npm | All versions | 3.7.16 |
Products include Electerm Project Electerm.
How do I fix CVE-2026-43940?
Upgrade electerm to 3.7.16 or later.
Upgrade, and resolve every user-supplied path against an allowed base folder before opening it. More about Path traversal.
Is CVE-2026-43940 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-43940 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in electerm
- CVE-2026-41500 electerm has Command Injection Vulnerability via runMac function
- CVE-2026-41501 electerm has Command Injection Vulnerability via runLinux function
- CVE-2020-23256 electerm allows unauthorized users to execute arbitrary commands
- CVE-2026-43941 Unvalidated shell.openExternal in electerm allows arbitrary protocol execution via terminal link click
- CVE-2026-43944 electerm: dangerous code can be run through links or command line
Sources
Also known as GHSA-f77v-9vpc-6pjm.