Which versions of electerm are affected by CVE-2026-43944?

electerm versions 3.0.6 through 3.8.14 contain a critical remote code execution vulnerability exploitable through phishing attacks via malicious deep links or files, requiring only user interaction…. A patch is available.

Is there a public PoC exploit available for CVE-2026-43944?

Yes, a public proof-of-concept exploit is available for CVE-2026-43944. Prioritise patching immediately. EPSS: 0.1%.

How to fix or mitigate CVE-2026-43944?

Within 24 hours: Inventory all systems running electerm versions 3.0.6-3.8.14 and restrict user access to externally-sourced electerm:// links and shortcuts. Within 7 days: Upgrade all affected electerm installations to version 3.8.15 or later. Within 30 days: Deploy application whitelisting or endpoint controls to block unauthorized electerm process execution, and conduct security awareness training on deep-link and file-based phishing.

electerm CVE-2026-43944

Q: What is the CVSS score of CVE-2026-43944?

CVE-2026-43944 has a CVSS 4.0 base score of 9.4 (Critical). CVSS vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X. EPSS exploitation probability: 0.1%.

EUVD-2026-28516 CRITICAL

Improper Input Validation (CWE-20)

2026-05-08 GitHub_M

GHSA-mpm8-cx2p-626q

RCE Electerm

9.4

CVSS 4.0 · GitHub Advisory

Severity by source

GitHub Advisory PRIMARY

9.4 CRITICAL

CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X

Primary rating from GitHub Advisory · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorGitHub Advisory

CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X

Attack Vector

Network

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

None

User Interaction

Scope

Lifecycle Timeline

Patch available

May 08, 2026 - 05:31 EUVD

Source Code Evidence Fetched

May 08, 2026 - 04:32 vuln.today

Analysis Generated

May 08, 2026 - 04:32 vuln.today

CVSS changed

May 08, 2026 - 04:22 NVD

9.4 (CRITICAL)

CVE Published

May 08, 2026 - 03:08 nvd

CRITICAL 9.4

DescriptionGitHub Advisory

electerm is an open-sourced terminal/ssh/sftp/telnet/serialport/RDP/VNC/Spice/ftp client. From versions 3.0.6 to before 3.8.15, electerm is vulnerable to arbitrary local code execution via deep links, CLI --opts, or crafted shortcuts. Exploit requires clicking a crafted electerm://... link or opening a crafted shortcut/command that launches electerm with attacker-controlled opts. This issue has been patched in version 3.8.15.

AnalysisAI

Arbitrary local code execution in electerm (versions 3.0.6-3.8.14) allows remote attackers to execute malicious code on victim systems by tricking users into clicking crafted electerm:// deep links, opening malicious shortcuts, or running CLI commands with attacker-controlled --opts parameters. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation (CWE-20) on deep link and CLI arguments, enabling adversaries to inject arbitrary options that execute code with the privileges of the electerm process. Exploitation requires user interaction (clicking link or opening file) but no authentication, making it suitable for phishing or watering-hole attacks. Patch available in version 3.8.15 with deny-list controls blocking critical parameter override.

Technical ContextAI

electerm is an Electron-based terminal emulator and SSH/SFTP/RDP/VNC client for Windows, macOS, and Linux (cpe:2.3:a:electerm:electerm:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*). The vulnerability arises from CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) in the parseQuickConnect function, which processes electerm:// URL schemes and command-line --opts arguments. Prior to 3.8.15, the parser accepted user-supplied JSON opts parameters without sanitization, allowing attackers to override critical connection parameters like 'type' and 'host'. By injecting malicious opts via deep links (electerm://...?opts={...}) or CLI shortcuts, attackers could manipulate Electron's process spawning mechanisms to execute arbitrary binaries. The fix introduces OPTS_DENY_LIST array filtering to prevent override of 'type' and 'host' keys, enforcing separation between URL-derived and user-supplied configuration.

RemediationAI

Upgrade to electerm version 3.8.15 or later immediately. Fixed release available at https://github.com/electerm/electerm/releases/tag/v3.8.15. Upstream fix commits: 8a6a179 (OPTS_DENY_LIST implementation) and a79e06f (additional hardening). For organizations unable to patch immediately: (1) Block electerm:// protocol handler registration in browser/OS settings to prevent deep link exploitation - side effect: legitimate electerm:// connection shortcuts will not function; (2) Implement application whitelisting to block electerm.exe execution from untrusted paths (temp directories, downloads) - reduces risk from malicious shortcuts but does not prevent CLI exploitation if users run commands manually; (3) User education to never click electerm:// links from untrusted sources or open .lnk/.desktop files from email/web downloads - relies on user compliance and does not scale. All workarounds are partial mitigations; upgrade is the only complete remediation.