# CVE-2026-43980: Malla: Stored XSS via Meshtastic node names in multiple frontend pages

> Attackers can inject malicious JavaScript via Meshtastic node names, executing code in the browsers of Malla dashboard visitors.

- **Severity:** Medium 6.3 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 21 Aug 2026
- **Updated:** 24 Aug 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-ch57-39q2-4crm, PYSEC-2026-2618

## What is CVE-2026-43980?

CVE-2026-43980 is a medium-severity cross-site scripting vulnerability in zenitraM malla, published on 21 Aug 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

Malla is a web analyzer for Meshtastic networks based on MQTT data. Prior to commit 4086e2b5f61615a813b70b25bc76095083552135, code names (long_name, short_name) received via MQTT are stored in SQLite without sanitization and rendered into the DOM without escaping. Any participant on a public Meshtastic MQTT broker can set a malicious node name that executes JavaScript in the browser of every Malla dashboard visitor. Commit 4086e2b5f61615a813b70b25bc76095083552135 fixes the issue.

Weakness: CWE-79 (Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-43980?

3 open source packages ship an affected version, including malla.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `malla` | PyPI | All versions to 0.1.7 | None |
| `malla` | PyPI | All versions to 0.1.7 | None |
| `malla` | PyPI | All versions to 0.1.7 | None |

## How do I fix CVE-2026-43980?

No fix has been published for CVE-2026-43980 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2026-43980 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2026-43980 exists.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2026-43980 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2026-43980 is a medium-severity cross-site scripting vulnerability in zenitraM malla, published on 21 Aug 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2026-43980 exists.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- malla (PyPI): affected all versions up to 0.1.7; no fix listed
- malla (PyPI): affected all versions up to 0.1.7; no fix listed
- malla (PyPI): affected all versions up to 0.1.7; no fix listed

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-43980/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-43980/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-43980
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-43980
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2026-43980

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-43980/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.