CVE-2026-114124 in Electron
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2026
Electron is a framework for writing cross-platform desktop applications using JavaScript, HTML and CSS. Prior to versions 42.11.6, 43.7.3, 44.4.3, and 45.0.0-alpha.9, frame data received from the GPU process for macOS offscreen rendering was not fully validated by the main process. An attacker who had separately gained code execution in the GPU process could provide inconsistent frame geometry and cause the main process to read out-of-bounds memory while producing paint event images, disclosing memory or crashing the application. This issue is fixed in versions 42.11.6, 43.7.3, 44.4.3, and 45.0.0-alpha.9.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2026
Electron serves as a prominent framework for developing cross-platform desktop applications by leveraging web technologies such as JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. The architecture of Electron relies on multiple processes to manage different aspects of the application's execution, including a main process that handles window management and UI logic, and GPU or renderer processes that handle intensive graphical computations and rendering tasks. In versions prior to 42.11.6, 43.7.3, 44.4.3, and 45.0.0-alpha.9, a critical security flaw existed within the communication channel between the GPU process and the main process on macOS systems utilizing offscreen rendering capabilities. This vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of frame data received by the main process from the GPU process, creating an opportunity for memory corruption attacks when specific conditions are met.
The technical nature of this vulnerability is classified as a use-after-free or out-of-bounds read condition resulting from improper input validation. Specifically, when the GPU process sends metadata regarding frame geometry to the main process for offscreen rendering purposes, the main process fails to adequately verify the consistency and bounds of this data before proceeding with paint event image production. If an attacker has already achieved code execution within the isolated GPU process through a separate vulnerability or exploit chain, they can manipulate these frame parameters. By providing inconsistent or maliciously crafted geometry values, the attacker forces the main process to access memory locations outside its allocated boundaries while attempting to generate visual output. This out-of-bounds read allows for the disclosure of sensitive information residing in adjacent memory regions, potentially exposing cryptographic keys, user credentials, or other private data associated with the application's state.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant due to the potential for both information leakage and denial of service. The primary consequence is the unauthorized disclosure of memory contents from the main process, which compromises the confidentiality of the running application and its users. Additionally, accessing invalid memory addresses can trigger segmentation faults or other critical errors, leading to a crash of the Electron-based application. This results in a loss of availability for end-users relying on the software. The severity is further amplified by the fact that it requires an attacker to have previously gained code execution within the GPU process, which often implies that this vulnerability serves as part of a broader exploit chain rather than a standalone entry point from untrusted web content directly into system memory without prior compromise of browser components.
From a classification perspective, this issue aligns with CWE-125, Out-of-bounds Read, and potentially CWE-362, Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization if race conditions are involved in the data handling process. In terms of offensive security frameworks, it relates to MITRE ATT&CK techniques involving memory corruption for privilege escalation or information gathering within a sandboxed environment. The vulnerability highlights the risks associated with inter-process communication (IPC) mechanisms where trust boundaries between isolated processes must be strictly enforced through rigorous validation of all incoming data structures.
To mitigate this risk, organizations and developers utilizing Electron should immediately upgrade to version 42.11.6 or later for stable releases, specifically versions 43.7.3, 44.4.3, or the patched alpha release 45.0.0-alpha.9. These updates include patches that enforce strict validation of frame geometry data received from GPU processes before it is used in memory allocation and painting operations. For developers maintaining custom builds or older versions where immediate patching is not feasible, implementing additional sanity checks on IPC messages related to rendering parameters can provide a temporary defensive layer. Furthermore, enabling sandboxing features for renderer processes helps limit the blast radius if an attacker gains initial execution within those contexts, reducing the likelihood of reaching the vulnerable main process logic described in this advisory.