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VulnerabilityPublished

CVE-2026-43943: Electerm Security Vulnerability · RCE via malicious SSH server filename in openFileWithEditor

Affects electermSource GCVE Database

0
Authoritative record:CVE-2026-43943· High 7.8

Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High : upgrade to 3.7.9 soon.

Data as of 27 Oct 2026, 00:07 UTC

CVSS 3.1 base score
7.8High
How severe the flaw is on the 0–10 CVSS scale.
Patch
Available – fixed in 3.7.9
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Exploitation evidence

  1. Disclosed: evidence found.

    CVE published 8 May 2026

  2. Detectable: no evidence on record.

    No public nuclei template indexed

  3. Weaponised: no evidence on record.

    No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB

  4. Exploited in the wild: no evidence on record.

    Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation

  5. Observed by OffSeq Mirage: no evidence on record.

    No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors

A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.

What to do

Upgrade electerm to 3.7.9.

Affected software

ProductAffectedFixed in
npmelectermAffected
  • <3.7.9
Fixed in
  • 3.7.9

Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.

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. <img width="1792" height="817" alt="1" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/ddf78890-e95d-4fe7-981e-f86887677e8b" /> <img width="1648" height="941" alt="2" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/cca2295b-2053-4d99-a464-be51eac2f5be" /> ### Patches Fixed in version >= 3.7.9 - https://github.com/electerm/electerm/commit/24ce7103e264cffe6eb5476c0506a2379e6f8333 ### Workarounds If you cannot patch yet, 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](https://github.com/electerm/electerm)

References

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