Eclipse Theia

In Eclipse Theia versions 0.7.0 and up until including 1.73.1, the `PreferenceUtils.merge` function in `@theia/core` recursively merges preference values without rejecting prototype-related keys (`__proto__`, `constructor`, `prototype`). Because this function is invoked by `PreferenceServiceImpl.doResolve` for every preference resolution across scopes (default, user, workspace, folder), a crafted preference value in a workspace settings file (`.theia/settings.json` or `.vscode/settings.json`) can pollute `Object.prototype` when the user opens the workspace, potentially altering application logic across the Theia process.

Published: 2026-08-05T10:51:47.869Z
Updated: 2026-08-05T13:05:29.371Z

In Eclipse Theia versions 1.66.0 and up until including 1.73.1, the `@theia/plugin-ext` backend exposes the `/hostedPlugin/:pluginId/:path(*)` HTTP endpoint, which resolves the requested file path with `path.resolve(localPath, filePath)` without verifying that the resolved path stays within the plugin's directory. An unauthenticated network attacker can send percent-encoded `../` sequences (`%2e%2e%2f`) that decode into the path parameter and escape the plugin directory, allowing arbitrary files readable by the Theia backend process to be retrieved. Plugin IDs are derived deterministically from a plugin's publisher and name, so built-in plugins serve as reliable anchors that require no prior knowledge of the target system.

Published: 2026-08-05T10:55:42.736Z
Updated: 2026-08-05T13:03:23.241Z

In Eclipse Theia versions up to and including 1.73.1, the `@theia/filesystem` backend binds `POST /file-upload` in every filesystem-enabled deployment. The handler takes an attacker-supplied absolute path from the multipart `uri` field and calls `fs.move(tmp, target, { overwrite: true })` with no workspace confinement and no authentication. In browser (non-Electron) deployments the connection token is enforced only on WebSocket upgrades; the HTTP middleware in `@theia/core` re-issues the cookie and calls `next()` without rejecting tokenless HTTP requests. Because `multipart/form-data` is a CORS-safelisted request type, a cross-origin web page can trigger the write with no preflight and no credentials, resulting in an unauthenticated arbitrary file write outside the workspace to any absolute path the backend process can write. This can escalate to remote code execution, for example by overwriting a startup-executed file such as `~/.bashrc`. Electron mode uses a separate `ElectronSecurityToken` and is not affected via this path.

Published: 2026-08-05T10:59:24.458Z
Updated: 2026-08-05T12:37:08.689Z

In Eclipse Theia versions prior to 1.71.0, files matching the pattern .prompts/*.prompttemplate in a workspace were automatically loaded and could override or extend the AI agent's system prompts. An attacker could craft a malicious repository containing prompt template files that, when the workspace was opened in Theia, replaced the AI's system instructions with attacker-controlled content (indirect prompt injection). Combined with other AI chat features available in untrusted workspaces, this enabled attack chains leading to data exfiltration via Markdown image rendering or arbitrary command execution via task definitions.

Published: 2026-06-18T14:26:59.389Z
Updated: 2026-06-19T03:55:46.723Z

In Eclipse Theia versions prior to 1.69.0, custom task definitions in workspace files (e.g. .theia/tasks.json, .vscode/tasks.json) could be executed without requiring workspace trust. An attacker could craft a malicious repository that, when cloned and opened in Theia, leads to execution of arbitrary commands with the user's privileges. In combination with AI chat features and a workspace .theia/settings.json that disabled tool confirmation, this could be triggered automatically by sending a message in the AI chat.

Published: 2026-06-18T14:35:25.486Z
Updated: 2026-06-19T03:55:44.974Z