Electerm users can run dangrous code through link or command line

Impact

Arbitrary local code execution via deep links, CLI --opts, or crafted shortcuts. Affected users: electerm installs that accept protocol URLs or CLI options (affected versions listed in the original report). Exploit requires clicking a crafted electerm://... link or opening a crafted shortcut/command that launches electerm with attacker-controlled opts.

Patches

Fixed in version > 3.8.8

commits:

• https://github.com/electerm/electerm/commit/8a6a17951e96d715f5a231532bbd8303fe208700
• https://github.com/electerm/electerm/commit/a79e06f4a1f0ac6376c3d2411ef4690fa0377742
• https://github.com/electerm/electerm/commit/0599e67069b00e376a2e962649aaad6096e63507

Workarounds

• Disable or unregister electerm protocol handlers (Deep Link settings) and avoid clicking electerm:// links.
• Do not run electerm with untrusted --opts arguments or open .lnk / .desktop files from untrusted sources.
• Restrict which users can launch electerm on shared machines and avoid leaving electerm installed in locations reachable by other users.
• As a temporary measure, run electerm in a confined account or sandbox (non-admin user) to reduce impact.

References

• Report / credit: https://github.com/Curly-Haired-Baboon
• Electerm releases: https://github.com/electerm/electerm/releases