CVE-2017-16151: Chromium Remote Code Execution in Electron
Summary
CVE-2017-16151: Chromium Remote Code Execution in electron. Affects electron across 2 version ranges.
< 1.6.14
>= 1.7.0, < 1.7.8
Fixed in 1.6.14 or 1.7.8, depending on the release line you run. How to fix ↓
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Background
ElectronJS is an open-source framework that allows developers to build cross-platform desktop applications using web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It provides a runtime environment for creating native-like applications for Windows, macOS, and Linux. ElectronJS applications can access remote content, even with the sandbox option enabled.
Vulnerability Detail
Affected versions of ElectronJS are vulnerable to remote code execution. This vulnerability occurs when an application accesses remote content, bypassing the sandbox option. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on the user's system, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data leakage, or system compromise.
How To Fix
Latest published version: 45.0.0 as of 22 Oct 2026
npm install electron@45.0.0Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the versions below are the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.
If you can't move to the latest
The minimum fixed version depends on the release line you run.
-
< 1.6.141.6.14npm install electron@1.6.14 -
>= 1.7.0, < 1.7.81.7.8npm install electron@1.7.8
Tip — Not sure which release line you're on? Vulert can find the fix for the version you are using. Scan free →
Workaround
If updating to the latest version of Electron is not immediately feasible, a possible workaround is to disable the access to remote content in the application. This can be achieved by modifying the application code to restrict the loading of remote content or by configuring the Electron runtime to disallow remote content access.
Conclusion
The vulnerability in ElectronJS allows for remote code execution, which can lead to serious security risks. It is crucial to update to the latest version of ElectronJS or implement the recommended workarounds to ensure the security of the application and protect against potential attacks. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for electron →
FAQ
ElectronJS is an open-source framework for building cross-platform desktop applications using web technologies.
Remote code execution refers to the ability of an attacker to execute arbitrary code on a target system from a remote location.
This vulnerability occurs when an ElectronJS application accesses remote content, even with the sandbox option enabled.
The potential consequences of this vulnerability include unauthorized access, data leakage, and system compromise.
To mitigate this vulnerability, it is recommended to update to the latest version of ElectronJS or disable access to remote content in the application.
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