CVE-2026-23733 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-94 (Improper Control of Generation of Code), specifically a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) flaw in the Mermaid artifact renderer component of lobehub's open-source chat platform, lobe-chat. Versions prior to 2.0.0-next.180 are affected. The vulnerability allows an attacker to inject malicious JavaScript code that is stored and later executed within the application's context when the artifact is rendered. This XSS attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be escalated to Remote Code Execution (RCE) by leveraging the exposed electronAPI IPC bridge, a communication channel between the renderer and main processes in Electron-based applications. Through this IPC bridge, the attacker can execute arbitrary system commands on the victim's machine, potentially compromising the entire host system. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.4, reflecting a medium severity level, with attack vector Local (AV:L), attack complexity High (AC:H), privileges required High (PR:H), user interaction required (UI:R), and scope changed (S:C). The vulnerability impacts confidentiality (high), integrity (low), and availability (low). The flaw requires the attacker to have local access with high privileges and to trick a user into interacting with malicious content. The issue was publicly disclosed on January 18, 2026, and patched in version 2.0.0-next.180 of lobe-chat. No known exploits have been reported in the wild to date. The vulnerability highlights the risks inherent in Electron applications that expose IPC bridges without sufficient validation or sanitization of user-generated content. Organizations using lobe-chat should upgrade to the patched version to prevent exploitation.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk especially in environments where lobe-chat is used for internal or external communications. The ability to escalate from stored XSS to RCE means that attackers could gain control over affected systems, leading to data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and potential disruption of services. Given the requirement for high privileges and user interaction, the risk is somewhat mitigated but still relevant in scenarios where insider threats or social engineering attacks are feasible. The compromise of endpoints running vulnerable versions could lead to lateral movement within networks, impacting confidentiality and integrity of corporate data. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, which often use Electron-based applications for communication and collaboration, may face increased exposure. Additionally, the use of open-source software like lobe-chat in European tech ecosystems means that smaller organizations or startups might be disproportionately affected if they do not maintain timely patching practices. The absence of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive defense, but the potential impact on availability and system integrity remains a concern.

1. Immediate upgrade to lobe-chat version 2.0.0-next.180 or later to apply the patch that fixes the stored XSS and IPC bridge vulnerabilities. 2. Restrict local access to systems running lobe-chat to trusted users only, minimizing the risk of privilege escalation. 3. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on any user-generated content rendered by the application, especially Mermaid artifacts. 4. Limit or disable the electronAPI IPC bridge if not required, or enforce strict message validation and authentication on IPC communications. 5. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for suspicious command execution or anomalous IPC activity. 6. Conduct user awareness training to reduce the risk of social engineering attacks that could trigger the vulnerability. 7. Regularly audit and monitor application logs for signs of exploitation attempts or unusual behavior. 8. Consider network segmentation to isolate systems running vulnerable versions until patched. 9. Engage in vulnerability management practices to ensure timely updates of open-source components. 10. If upgrading immediately is not feasible, apply temporary mitigations such as disabling Mermaid artifact rendering or restricting its usage.