Executive brief
electerm is a popular terminal emulator package installed globally via npm on macOS systems. A command injection vulnerability in the install script allows an attacker who can control the remote release metadata (such as the version name served by the update server) to execute arbitrary system commands with the privileges of the user running the installation, potentially compromising development systems and local files.
Technical details
A command injection vulnerability exists in electerm's npm install script (npm/install.js:150) within the runMac() function. The function directly appends attacker-controlled remote releaseInfo.name into an exec("open ...") shell command without sanitization or validation. An attacker with the ability to manipulate the remote release metadata served by the project's update server can inject arbitrary shell commands. The vulnerability requires network access to the update server but does not require authentication or user interaction beyond running npm install -g electerm on macOS. Successful exploitation allows full command execution with the installing user's privileges. The vulnerability has been patched in version 3.3.8 (commit 59708b38c8a52f5db59d7d4eff98e31d573128ee) and users are advised to upgrade.
Affected products
- electerm electerm ≤3.2.0
Timeline
- 2026-04-16: disclosed
- 2026-04-16: patched: Fixed in version 3.3.8
- 2026-05-08: advisory: NVD published