CVE-2026-41500: electerm: electerm_install_script_CommandInjection Vulnerability Report

CVE-2026-41500 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Published 2026-05-08

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.

Technologies: Electerm Project Electerm, electerm (npm). Vendors: Electerm Project, npm.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2026-41500 exploited in the wild?
No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-41500 being exploited in the wild.
How severe is CVE-2026-41500?
Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.8, published 8 May 2026.
Which products and versions are affected?
electerm (npm) < 3.3.8, SEMVER:introduced=0,fixed=3.3.8.
Is there a fix for CVE-2026-41500?
Yes. electerm (npm): upgrade to 3.3.8 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.
How is CVE-2026-41500 attacked?
It is attacked over the network, in a software library.
Am I affected by CVE-2026-41500?
Check whether you run Electerm Project Electerm or electerm (npm) at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

How to fix

  • electerm (npm): upgrade to 3.3.8 or later
    npm install electerm@3.3.8

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

Identifiers

  • CVE-2026-41500
  • GHSA-wxw2-rwmh-vr8f

Timeline

  • 2026-04-16: disclosed
  • 2026-04-16: patched: Fixed in version 3.3.8
  • 2026-05-08: advisory: NVD published

References

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