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.

No CVSS v4.0

Attack Vector Local

Attack Complexity High

Privileges Required Low

Scope Unchanged

Confidentiality Impact High

Integrity Impact High

Availability Impact None

User Interaction Required

No CVSS v3.0

No CVSS v2

This CVE is not in the KEV list.

No EPSS score available.

Key SSVC decision points have not yet been added.

Default status is the baseline for the product, each version can override it (e.g. patched versions marked unaffected).

Vendor Product Default status Versions
electron electron affected
Version Status Constraints
< 39.8.6 affected —
>= 40.0.0-alpha.1, < 40.9.0 affected —
>= 41.0.0-alpha.1, < 41.1.1 affected —
>= 42.0.0-alpha.1, < 42.0.0-beta.1 affected —

No data.

No data.

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Advisories
Source ID Title
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-5c9j-mhmv-5xgx Electron: shell.openPath path validation bypass via embedded null byte
Fixes

Solution

No solution given by the vendor.

Workaround

No workaround given by the vendor.

References
Link Providers
https://github.com/electron/electron/security/advisories/GHSA-5c9j-mhmv-5xgx cve-icon
History

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 17:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Electron
Electron electron
Vendors & Products Electron
Electron electron

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 16:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
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.
Title Electron: shell.openPath path validation bypass via embedded null byte
Weaknesses CWE-158
CWE-20
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 6, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N'}

Projects

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cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: GitHub_M

Published:

Updated: 2026-08-05T18:14:55.960Z

Reserved: 2026-08-04T19:50:27.328Z

Link: CVE-2026-70603

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

No data.

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-08-05T17:45:16Z

Weaknesses