CVE-2026-70611: Electron DevTools Embedder Handler Executes Arbitrary Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-f2r8-jv7c-xqmp
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CVSS 6.9
CWE-78
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2026-70611 is a MODERATE (CVSS 6.9) devtools embedder handler executes arbitrary vulnerability (CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')) affecting Electron libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves devtools embedder handler executes arbitrary files via shell open. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 39.8.9, 40.9.2, 41.2.1, 42.0.0-beta.3.

CVE-2026-70611 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2026-70611
GHSA Identifier GHSA-f2r8-jv7c-xqmp
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 6.9
CWE Classification CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
Affected Product Electron
Package Ecosystem npm
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 6.9

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N).

Attack Vector Local (AV:L)
Attack Complexity High (AC:H)
Privileges Required High (PR:H)
User Interaction Required (UI:R)
Scope Changed (S:C)
Confidentiality High (C:H)
Integrity High (I:H)
Availability None (A:N)

How to Fix CVE-2026-70611

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Electron dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

electron fixed: 39.8.9 
npm install electron@39.8.9
electron fixed: 40.9.2 
npm install electron@40.9.2
electron fixed: 41.2.1 
npm install electron@41.2.1
electron fixed: 42.0.0-beta.3 
npm install electron@42.0.0-beta.3
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

npm ls electron

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Node.js application is affected by CVE-2026-70611, inspect your project dependencies using npm:

npm ls electron

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Electron in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 39.8.9), your application is affected.

Note: The npm ls electron command inspects dependencies declared in your package.json and lockfile; it does not perform automated runtime dynamic scanning.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection'), where the product constructs all or part of an os command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended os command when it is sent to a downstream component. In Electron, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

### Impact The DevTools "reveal in file manager" action could launch the target file rather than reveal it. An attacker with a separate means of running script inside the DevTools frontend (such as a malicious DevTools extension) could use this to execute native code outside the sandbox. Apps are only affected if DevTools is opened for windows exposed to untrusted content or untrusted DevTools extensions. Apps that do not open DevTools in that context are not affected. ### Workarounds Do not open DevTools for windows that load untrusted content, and do not load untrusted DevTools extensions. ### Fixed Versions * `42.0.0-beta.3` * `41.2.1` * `40.9.2` * `39.8.9` ### For more information If you have any questions or comments about this advisory, email Electron at [security@electronjs.org](mailto:security@electronjs.org)

CVE-2026-70611 Affected Electron Versions

4 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
39.8.940.9.241.2.142.0.0-beta.3
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
electron
npm/electron
npm
< 39.8.9
39.8.9
electron
npm/electron
npm
≥ 40.0.0-alpha.1
< 40.9.2
40.9.2
electron
npm/electron
npm
≥ 41.0.0-alpha.1
< 41.2.1
41.2.1
electron
npm/electron
npm
≥ 42.0.0-alpha.1
< 42.0.0-beta.3
42.0.0-beta.3

References

GitHub Advisory / Wiki ADVISORY
https://github.com/electron/electron/security/advisories/GHSA-f2r8-jv7c-xqmp
Electron Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/electron/electron/pull/50937
Electron Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/electron/electron/pull/50938
Electron Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/electron/electron/pull/51114
Electron Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/electron/electron/pull/51115
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/electron/electron/commit/10fb5b39c5287f70c4bbcab4c24197f3871ec322
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/electron/electron/commit/27bf1cae9274d5025684c7268496f435b7e06b44
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/electron/electron/commit/7a1eb7e5585991b3726cedb890a6244f327f43de
Electron Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/electron/electron
Electron Release RELEASE
https://github.com/electron/electron/releases/tag/v39.8.9
Electron Release RELEASE
https://github.com/electron/electron/releases/tag/v40.9.2
Electron Release RELEASE
https://github.com/electron/electron/releases/tag/v41.2.1
Electron Release RELEASE
https://github.com/electron/electron/releases/tag/v42.0.0-beta.3

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2026-70611?
CVE-2026-70611 is a security vulnerability in Electron involving DevTools embedder handler executes arbitrary files via shell open under CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection').
Which Electron versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 39.8.9, 40.9.2, 41.2.1, 42.0.0-beta.3 across affected packages: electron.
What version fixes CVE-2026-70611?
Upgrading to 39.8.9, 40.9.2, 41.2.1, 42.0.0-beta.3 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is electron affected?
Yes, electron is affected in releases prior to 39.8.9, 40.9.2, 41.2.1, 42.0.0-beta.3. Upgrade your dependency to 39.8.9, 40.9.2, 41.2.1, 42.0.0-beta.3 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2026-70611?
CVE-2026-70611 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.9 (MODERATE) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2026-70611?
CVE-2026-70611 is classified under CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') (The product constructs all or part of an OS command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended OS command when it is sent to a downstream component.).
How can I check npm dependencies for CVE-2026-70611?
Run the dependency tree command: 'npm ls electron'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-f2r8-jv7c-xqmp",
  "modified" : "2026-08-05T17:49:14Z",
  "published" : "2026-08-05T17:49:14Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2026-70611" ],
  "summary" : "Electron: DevTools embedder handler executes arbitrary files via shell open",
  "details" : "### Impact\nThe DevTools \"reveal in file manager\" action could launch the target file rather than reveal it. An attacker with a separate means of running script inside the DevTools frontend (such as a malicious DevTools extension) could use this to execute native code outside the sandbox.\n\nApps are only affected if DevTools is opened for windows exposed to untrusted content or untrusted DevTools extensions. Apps that do not open DevTools in that context are not affected.\n\n### Workarounds\nDo not open DevTools for windows that load untrusted content, and do not load untrusted DevTools extensions.\n\n### Fixed Versions\n* `42.0.0-beta.3`\n* `41.2.1`\n* `40.9.2`\n* `39.8.9`\n\n### For more information\nIf you have any questions or comments about this advisory, email Electron at [security@electronjs.org](mailto:security@electronjs.org)",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "electron"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "39.8.9"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "electron"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "40.0.0-alpha.1"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "40.9.2"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "electron"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "41.0.0-alpha.1"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "41.2.1"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "electron"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "42.0.0-alpha.1"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "42.0.0-beta.3"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/electron/electron/security/advisories/GHSA-f2r8-jv7c-xqmp"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/electron/electron/pull/50937"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/electron/electron/pull/50938"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/electron/electron/pull/51114"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/electron/electron/pull/51115"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/electron/electron/commit/10fb5b39c5287f70c4bbcab4c24197f3871ec322"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/electron/electron/commit/27bf1cae9274d5025684c7268496f435b7e06b44"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/electron/electron/commit/7a1eb7e5585991b3726cedb890a6244f327f43de"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/electron/electron"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/electron/electron/releases/tag/v39.8.9"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/electron/electron/releases/tag/v40.9.2"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/electron/electron/releases/tag/v41.2.1"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/electron/electron/releases/tag/v42.0.0-beta.3"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-78" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2026-08-05T17:49:14Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : null
  }
}