Medium severity · published Aug 5, 2026
CVE-2026-70603
Electron: shell.openPath path validation bypass via embedded null byte
6.0
CVSS
0.1%
EPSS
No
On KEV
Description
Electron is a framework for writing cross-platform desktop applications using JavaScript, HTML and CSS. Prior to 39.8.6, 40.9.0, 41.1.1, and 42.0.0-beta.1, shell.openPath() did not reject paths containing embedded null bytes. Apps that perform string-only validation of file paths, for example checking the file extension, before passing them to shell.openPath() could be bypassed, allowing an attacker-controlled path to open a different file than the one that passed validation. Apps are only affected if they pass paths derived from untrusted input to shell.openPath() and rely on string-based validation without a filesystem check. This issue is fixed in versions 39.8.6, 40.9.0, 41.1.1, and 42.0.0-beta.1.
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
Attack vector
Local
Complexity
High
Privileges
Low
User interaction
Required
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
None
Scope
Unchanged
Exploitation
Is it being used?
Exploit prediction (EPSS)0.1% · higher than 3% of CVEs
Exploited in the wildNo evidence yet
CISA KEVNot listed
Ransomware campaign useNot known
Affected products
Which versions
EL
electron · electron
< 39.8.6; >= 40.0.0-alpha.1, < 40.9.0; >= 41.0.0-alpha.1, < 41.1.1; >= 42.0.0-alpha.1, < 42.0.0-beta.1 · source: vendor, NVD
References
NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-70603
CVE.org
https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-70603
Vendor Advisory
https://github.com/electron/electron/security/advisories/GHSA-5c9j-mhmv-5xgx
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