GHSA-997q-gvvc-jwmx - Electron: openExternal permission requests can be attributed to the wrong origin
### Impact
Requests to open external protocol URLs could be attributed to a document other than the one that asked for them, so the `requestingUrl` passed to `session.setPermissionRequestHandler` was a trusted origin for a launch untrusted content had requested. An origin-based handler could therefore let untrusted content launch an OS-registered external application.
Apps are only affected if they grant `openExternal` based on the requesting origin and let untrusted content open or navigate windows. Apps whose permission handler denies `openExternal` for untrusted content are not affected.
### Workarounds
Deny the `openExternal` permission for untrusted content, or deny the windows it opens with `setWindowOpenHandler`.
### Fixed Versions
* `45.0.0-alpha.5`
* `44.3.0`
* `43.7.0`
* `42.11.3`
### For more information
If you have any questions or comments about this advisory, email us at [security@electronjs.org](mailto:security@electronjs.org)
MEDIUM
Severity & confidence
Source severitymedium
Platform severitymedium
Confidencehigh
Exploitationunknown
CVSS5.4
Affected
Vendorselectron
Productselectron
Reporting sources (2)
GitHub Security Advisories
NIST NVD - National Vulnerability Database
Timeline & provenance
Published2026-10-22T16:43:59
Last updated2026-10-25T02:26:18
Ingested2026-10-22T16:54:35
FreshnessNEAR-REAL-TIME
Threat typeadvisory
Recommended action
Review the advisory and upgrade affected packages to the first patched version.
Next steps
- Identify affected systems in your environment.
- Apply the vendor patch or mitigation guidance.
- Review logs for indicators described in the advisory.
- Follow the affected vendor/product to track updates.
Confidence explanation
Reported by a government or cert-grade source (CISA, NCSC, NVD, ENISA, MSRC).
Source type: vendor ยท Original: GitHub Security Advisories