# CVE-2026-41501: electerm command injection in runLinux function

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-41501-electerm-command-injection-in-runlinux-function  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-05-08. Updated: 2026-05-12  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-41501 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Published 2026-05-08

electerm is a terminal/ssh/sftp client for developers. A vulnerability in its installation script allows an attacker who controls release metadata to execute arbitrary commands on a user's Linux system during installation. This could lead to full system compromise, data theft, or the installation of malware.

Technologies: [Electerm Project Electerm](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/electerm-project-electerm), [electerm (npm)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/electerm). Vendors: [Electerm Project](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/electerm-project), [npm](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/npm).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-41501 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-41501 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-41501?** 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-2026-41501?** 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-2026-41501 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-41501?** 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

  ```sh
  npm install electerm@3.3.8
  ```


## Technical details

A command injection vulnerability exists in the `runLinux()` function within `npm/install.js`. The application fails to validate or sanitize remote version strings retrieved from the update server before appending them to a system command executed via `exec("rm -rf ...")`. An attacker capable of manipulating the project's remote release metadata (such as the version string or release name) can inject malicious shell commands. This vulnerability is triggered when a user runs `npm install -g electerm` on a Linux platform. The issue is fixed in version 3.3.8.

## Affected products

- electerm electerm < 3.3.8

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-41501
- GHSA-8x35-hph8-37hq

## Timeline

- 2026-04-22: disclosed: Vulnerability reported to vendor
- 2026-04-24: advisory: GitHub Advisory published
- 2026-05-08: other: NVD published CVE-2026-41501

## References

- [https://api.github.com/users/Yuremin](https://api.github.com/users/Yuremin)
- [https://github.com/Yuremin](https://github.com/Yuremin)
- [https://api.github.com/users/Yuremin/gists%7B/gist_id%7D](https://api.github.com/users/Yuremin/gists%7B/gist_id%7D)
- [https://api.github.com/users/Yuremin/repos](https://api.github.com/users/Yuremin/repos)
- [https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/49851084?v=4](https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/49851084?v=4)
- [https://api.github.com/users/Yuremin/events%7B/privacy%7D](https://api.github.com/users/Yuremin/events%7B/privacy%7D)

## Related threats

- [electerm OS command injection in file system operations](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-49255-electerm-os-command-injection-in-file-system-operations)
- [electerm path traversal in Zmodem and Trzsz download handlers](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-49253-electerm-path-traversal-in-zmodem-and-trzsz-download-handlers)
- [electerm weak encryption in synced profile data](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-45787-electerm-weak-encryption-in-synced-profile-data)
- [electerm local code execution via single-instance socket](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-45353-electerm-local-code-execution-via-single-instance-socket)
- [electerm code execution via imported bookmarks or sync targets](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-45058-electerm-code-execution-via-imported-bookmarks-or-sync-targets)