CVE-2026-43944

Electerm users can run dangrous code through link or command line

Workarounds

• Disable or unregister electerm protocol handlers (Deep Link settings) and avoid clicking electerm:// links.
• Do not run electerm with untrusted --opts arguments or open .lnk / .desktop files from untrusted sources.
• Restrict which users can launch electerm on shared machines and avoid leaving electerm installed in locations reachable by other users.
• As a temporary measure, run electerm in a confined account or sandbox (non-admin user) to reduce impact.

References

• Report / credit: https://github.com/Curly-Haired-Baboon
• Electerm releases: https://github.com/electerm/electerm/releases

Arbitrary local code execution via deep links, CLI --opts, or crafted shortcuts. Affected users: electerm installs that accept protocol URLs or CLI options (affected versions listed in the original report). Exploit requires clicking a crafted electerm://... link or opening a crafted shortcut/command that launches electerm with attacker-controlled opts.

The application does not adequately validate input before processing it, allowing unexpected values to reach sensitive code paths. Typical impact: varies by context: data corruption, logic bypass, or denial of service.

CVE-2026-43944 has a CVSS score of 9.6 (Critical). The vector is network-reachable, no privileges required, and user interaction required. A CVSS score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether this affects your application depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable in your environment. A fixed version is available (3.8.8); upgrading removes the vulnerable code path.

Kodem intelligence

Already deployed Kodem?

Fixed in version > 3.8.8

commits:

• https://github.com/electerm/electerm/commit/8a6a17951e96d715f5a231532bbd8303fe208700
• https://github.com/electerm/electerm/commit/a79e06f4a1f0ac6376c3d2411ef4690fa0377742
• https://github.com/electerm/electerm/commit/0599e67069b00e376a2e962649aaad6096e63507

1. What is CVE-2026-43944? CVE-2026-43944 is a critical-severity improper input validation vulnerability in electerm (npm), affecting versions >= 3.0.6, < 3.8.8. It is fixed in 3.8.8. The application does not adequately validate input before processing it, allowing unexpected values to reach sensitive code paths.
2. How severe is CVE-2026-43944? CVE-2026-43944 has a CVSS score of 9.6 (Critical). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.
3. Which versions of electerm are affected by CVE-2026-43944? electerm (npm) versions >= 3.0.6, < 3.8.8 is affected.
4. Is there a fix for CVE-2026-43944? Yes. CVE-2026-43944 is fixed in 3.8.8. Upgrade to this version or later.
5. Is CVE-2026-43944 exploitable, and should I be worried? Whether CVE-2026-43944 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk. Get a demo
6. What actually determines whether CVE-2026-43944 is exploitable, and how bad it is? Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.
7. How do I fix CVE-2026-43944? Upgrade electerm to 3.8.8 or later.

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