Executive Summary
Electron is a framework for writing cross-platform desktop applications using JavaScript, HTML and CSS. Prior to versions 39.8.1, 40.7.0, and 41.0.0, apps that use offscreen rendering and allow child windows via window.open() may be vulnerable to a use-after-free. If the parent offscreen WebContents is destroyed while a child window remains open, subsequent paint frames on the child dereference freed memory, which may lead to a crash or memory corruption. Apps are only affected if they use offscreen rendering (webPreferences.offscreen: true) and their setWindowOpenHandler permits child windows. Apps that do not use offscreen rendering, or that deny child windows, are not affected. This issue has been patched in versions 39.8.1, 40.7.0, and 41.0.0.
Quantitative Risk Analysis
Attack Vector Profile
The payload vectors broken down by magnitude impact and ease-of-deployment factor mapping.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HWhat This Means For Your System
Each point below is derived directly from this CVE's CVSS v3.1 vector — not editorial opinion.
Exploitable remotely over the internet — no physical or local access needed.
Requires specific conditions outside attacker control, reducing repeatability.
No authentication required — unauthenticated attackers can exploit directly.
No user interaction required — the attacker acts autonomously.
Successful exploitation causes: full data confidentiality breach, complete integrity compromise, total service availability loss.
OsVault Risk Score Methodology
The OsVault composite score is a 5-layer non-linear engine — not a simple weighted average. Each input signal is transformed through mathematically appropriate curves before blending, ensuring that exploitability context overrides raw severity when warranted.
Layer 1 (Technical): CVSS is mapped through a piecewise exponential curve with 4 bands (LOW 0–20, MEDIUM 20–55, HIGH 55–85, CRITICAL 85–100), then multiplied by full CVSS vector decomposition factors for Attack Vector, Complexity, Privileges, and User Interaction.
Layer 2 (Threat): Raw EPSS is passed through a logistic sigmoid (k=40, midpoint=0.05) to maximize discrimination in the decision-relevant range. The result is added to an exploit maturity tier base score (Weaponized: 85, Functional: 55, PoC: 40, Unproven: 18).
Layer 3 (KEV Floor):Any CVE in CISA's catalog receives a hard minimum of 93.0 (Functional) or 97.0 (Weaponized). This ensures confirmed exploitation is never buried by low CVSS scores.
Scores ≥70: patch immediately. 40–69: schedule within current sprint. Below 40: standard maintenance cycle.
Remediation Commands
Commands to update each affected package identified in this advisory. Verify the target release explicitly addresses this CVE in the upstream changelog before deploying to production.
npm install electron@latestnpm install electron@latestnpm install electron@latest