CVE-2026-44691: @theia/debug [Eclipse Theia] Arbitrary Command Execution Vulnerability

HIGH
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-g9jw-92q7-g7fj
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CWE-829
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2026-44691 is a HIGH [eclipse theia] arbitrary command execution vulnerability (CWE-829: Inclusion of Functionality from Untrusted Control Sphere) affecting @theia/debug libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves [eclipse theia] arbitrary command execution via untrusted workspace task definitions. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 1.69.0.

CVE-2026-44691 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2026-44691
GHSA Identifier GHSA-g9jw-92q7-g7fj
Severity HIGH
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification CWE-829: Inclusion of Functionality from Untrusted Control Sphere
Affected Product @theia/debug
Package Ecosystem npm
Published Date
Last Updated

How to Fix CVE-2026-44691

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

@theia/debug fixed: 1.69.0 
npm install @theia/debug@1.69.0
@theia/task fixed: 1.69.0 
npm install @theia/task@1.69.0
@theia/workspace fixed: 1.69.0 
npm install @theia/workspace@1.69.0
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 @theia/debug

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Node.js application is affected by CVE-2026-44691, inspect your project dependencies using npm:

npm ls @theia/debug

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of @theia/debug in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 1.69.0), your application is affected.

Note: The npm ls @theia/debug 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-829: Inclusion of Functionality from Untrusted Control Sphere, where the product imports, requires, or includes executable functionality (such as a library) from a source that is outside of the intended control sphere. In @theia/debug, 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

In Eclipse Theia versions prior to 1.69.0, custom task definitions in workspace files (e.g. .theia/tasks.json, .vscode/tasks.json) could be executed without requiring workspace trust. An attacker could craft a malicious repository that, when cloned and opened in Theia, leads to execution of arbitrary commands with the user's privileges. In combination with AI chat features and a workspace .theia/settings.json that disabled tool confirmation, this could be triggered automatically by sending a message in the AI chat.

CVE-2026-44691 Affected @theia/debug Versions

3 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
1.69.0
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
@theia/debug
npm/@theia/debug
npm
< 1.69.0
1.69.0
@theia/task
npm/@theia/task
npm
< 1.69.0
1.69.0
@theia/workspace
npm/@theia/workspace
npm
< 1.69.0
1.69.0

References

NVD — CVE-2026-44691 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-44691
@theia/debug Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/eclipse-theia/theia/issues/16889
@theia/debug Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/eclipse-theia/theia/pull/16917
@theia/debug Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/eclipse-theia/theia
@theia/debug Security Information SECURITY
https://gitlab.eclipse.org/security/cve-assignment/-/work_items/116
@theia/debug Security Information SECURITY
https://gitlab.eclipse.org/security/vulnerability-reports/-/work_items/331

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2026-44691?
CVE-2026-44691 is a security vulnerability in @theia/debug involving [Eclipse Theia] Arbitrary Command Execution via Untrusted Workspace Task Definitions under CWE-829: Inclusion of Functionality from Untrusted Control Sphere.
Which @theia/debug versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 1.69.0 across affected packages: @theia/debug, @theia/task, @theia/workspace.
What version fixes CVE-2026-44691?
Upgrading to 1.69.0 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is @theia/debug affected?
Yes, @theia/debug is affected in releases prior to 1.69.0. Upgrade your dependency to 1.69.0 or later.
Is @theia/task affected?
Yes, @theia/task is affected in releases prior to 1.69.0. Upgrade your dependency to 1.69.0 or later.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2026-44691?
CVE-2026-44691 is classified under CWE-829: Inclusion of Functionality from Untrusted Control Sphere (The product imports, requires, or includes executable functionality (such as a library) from a source that is outside of the intended control sphere.).
How can I check npm dependencies for CVE-2026-44691?
Run the dependency tree command: 'npm ls @theia/debug'. 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-g9jw-92q7-g7fj",
  "modified" : "2026-06-19T19:20:20Z",
  "published" : "2026-06-18T18:35:23Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2026-44691" ],
  "summary" : "[Eclipse Theia] Arbitrary Command Execution via Untrusted Workspace Task Definitions",
  "details" : "In Eclipse Theia versions prior to 1.69.0, custom task definitions in workspace files (e.g. .theia/tasks.json, .vscode/tasks.json) could be executed without requiring workspace trust. An attacker could craft a malicious repository that, when cloned and opened in Theia, leads to execution of arbitrary commands with the user's privileges. In combination with AI chat features and a workspace .theia/settings.json that disabled tool confirmation, this could be triggered automatically by sending a message in the AI chat.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V4",
    "score" : "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "@theia/debug"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "1.69.0"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "@theia/task"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "1.69.0"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "@theia/workspace"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "1.69.0"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-44691"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/eclipse-theia/theia/issues/16889"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/eclipse-theia/theia/pull/16917"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/eclipse-theia/theia"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://gitlab.eclipse.org/security/cve-assignment/-/work_items/116"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://gitlab.eclipse.org/security/vulnerability-reports/-/work_items/331"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-829" ],
    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2026-06-19T19:20:20Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2026-06-18T16:16:54Z"
  }
}