GitHub Advisoryadvisory · npm
GHSA-q4p8-8j9m-8hxj Electerm Security Vulnerability: RCE via malicious SSH server filename in openFileWithEditor
HIGH
Official page ↗
- Aliases
- CVE-2026-43943
- Ecosystem
- npm
- Packages
- electerm
- Severity
- High
- CVSS vector
- CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- Weaknesses
- CWE-78, CWE-88
- Reviewed
- 2026-05-08
Affected packages
• npm electerm: < 3.7.9 → fixed in 3.7.9
Description
Impact
A code execution (RCE) vulnerability exists in electerm's SFTP open with system editor or "Edit with custom editor" feature. When a user opts to edit a file using open with system editor or open with a custom editor, the filename is passed directly into a command line without sanitization.
A malicious actor controlling the SSH server or user OS can exploit this by crafting a filename containing shell metacharacters. If a victim subsequently attempts to edit this file, the injected commands are executed on their machine with the user's privileges. This could allow the attacker to run arbitrary code, install malware, or move laterally within the network.
Patches
Fixed in version >= 3.7.9
• https://github.com/electerm/electerm/commit/24ce7103e264cffe6eb5476c0506a2379e6f8333
Workarounds
Until a patch is available, it is strongly recommended to:
• Refrain from using the open with system editor or "Edit with custom editor" feature when connected to untrusted or unfamiliar SSH servers.
• Consider using the built-in editor for viewing files, as this path may not be vulnerable to the same injection.
• If the feature must be used, ensure connections are exclusively established with trusted servers and perform rigorous filename validation before editing.
Resources
• electerm GitHub Repository
Related
Alias · CVE (1)
- CVE-2026-43943 electerm is an open-sourced terminal/ssh/sftp/telnet/serialport/RDP/VNC/Spice/ftp client. vulnerability
References
- https://github.com/electerm/electerm/security/advisories/GHSA-q4p8-8j9m-8hxj web
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-43943 advisory
- https://github.com/electerm/electerm/commit/24ce7103e264cffe6eb5476c0506a2379e6f8333 web
- https://github.com/electerm/electerm package
- https://github.com/electerm/electerm/releases/tag/v3.7.9 web