CVE-2026-66298: JS-view sandboxed output can synthesize keyboard events to trigger unconfirmed global shortcuts

Published Aug 5, 2026
·
Updated

Summary

Origin Validation Error vulnerability in livebook-dev livebook allows untrusted notebook output JavaScript to trigger session-wide keyboard shortcuts, including forced evaluation of all cells and runtime restart.

Livebook's JS-view feature renders notebook-defined JavaScript inside a sandboxed, cross-origin iframe specifically because that JavaScript is untrusted. The trusted iframe shell in iframe/priv/static/iframe/v5.html forwards every keydown event fired in its own window to the parent page without consulting Event.isTrusted, so an event synthesized by the untrusted script through window.dispatchEvent is forwarded exactly as a genuine keystroke would be. The parent-side relay in assets/js/hooks/jsview.js reconstructs and re-dispatches it on the live page with no further validation, and because assets/js/hooks/session.js registers the global shortcut handler on the document in the capture phase, that handler acts on the replicated event regardless of how it was produced.

Sandboxed output JavaScript can therefore drive Livebook's session-wide keyboard shortcuts. Two of them reach LivebookWeb.SessionLive and execute immediately with no confirmation: the shortcut for queueing full evaluation runs every cell in the notebook, and the shortcut for reconnecting the runtime disconnects and reconnects it, discarding in-memory state. A third shortcut deletes the focused cell behind a confirmation dialog that the user can permanently dismiss, after which it too executes silently.

Forced full evaluation is the significant consequence, because it causes the notebook's own Elixir code to run without the user choosing to evaluate anything. A user who merely opens a notebook obtained from a third party, or reached from published documentation, can have its code executed on their runtime. Livebook also mirrors cell outputs to every connected client, so a malicious output triggers in a collaborator's browser as soon as it renders.

This issue affects livebook: from 0.5.0 before 0.18.7 and from 0.19.0 before 0.19.9.

Other sources

Origin Validation Error vulnerability in livebook-dev livebook allows untrusted notebook output JavaScript to trigger session-wide keyboard shortcuts, including forced evaluation of all cells and runtime restart.

Livebook's JS-view feature renders notebook-defined JavaScript inside a sandboxed, cross-origin iframe specifically because that JavaScript is untrusted. The trusted iframe shell in iframe/priv/static/iframe/v5.html forwards every keydown event fired in its own window to the parent page without consulting Event.isTrusted, so an event synthesized by the untrusted script through window.dispatchEvent is forwarded exactly as a genuine keystroke would be. The parent-side relay in assets/js/hooks/jsview.js reconstructs and re-dispatches it on the live page with no further validation, and because assets/js/hooks/session.js registers the global shortcut handler on the document in the capture phase, that handler acts on the replicated event regardless of how it was produced.

Sandboxed output JavaScript can therefore drive Livebook's session-wide keyboard shortcuts. Two of them reach LivebookWeb.SessionLive and execute immediately with no confirmation: the shortcut for queueing full evaluation runs every cell in the notebook, and the shortcut for reconnecting the runtime disconnects and reconnects it, discarding in-memory state. A third shortcut deletes the focused cell behind a confirmation dialog that the user can permanently dismiss, after which it too executes silently.

Forced full evaluation is the significant consequence, because it causes the notebook's own Elixir code to run without the user choosing to evaluate anything. A user who merely opens a notebook obtained from a third party, or reached from published documentation, can have its code executed on their runtime. Livebook also mirrors cell outputs to every connected client, so a malicious output triggers in a collaborator's browser as soon as it renders.

This issue affects livebook: from 0.5.0 before 0.18.7 and from 0.19.0 before 0.19.9.

— NVD

Affected Software

5 affected componentsFixes available
livebook-dev livebook>0.5.0<0.18.7, >0.19.0<0.19.9
Livebook Livebook>=0.5.0<0.18.7
Livebook Livebook>=0.19.0<0.19.9
erlang/livebook>=0.5.0<0.18.7
0.18.7
erlang/livebook>=0.19.0<0.19.9
0.19.9

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade erlang/livebook to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0.18.7
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade erlang/livebook to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0.19.9
  3. Upgrade

    Upgrade livebook-dev/livebook to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0.18.7
  4. Upgrade

    Upgrade livebook-dev/livebook to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0.19.9

Event History

Aug 5, 2026
CVE Published
via MITRE·07:44 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·07:44 PM
DescriptionWeakness
Data Sourced
via OSV·07:44 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Data Sourced
via NVD·08:17 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2026-66298?

CVE-2026-66298 has a risk score of 71, indicating it is a significant vulnerability.

2

What does CVE-2026-66298 affect?

CVE-2026-66298 affects the livebook-dev livebook application.

3

What is the nature of the vulnerability in CVE-2026-66298?

CVE-2026-66298 is an Origin Validation Error that allows untrusted notebook output JavaScript to synthesize keyboard events.

4

How can I mitigate CVE-2026-66298?

To mitigate CVE-2026-66298, ensure that notebook outputs are properly validated and that untrusted JavaScript is not executed in the JS-view.

5

What are the potential consequences of CVE-2026-66298?

The potential consequences of CVE-2026-66298 include unauthorized triggering of session-wide keyboard shortcuts, forced evaluation of cells, and unintended runtime restarts.

Contact

SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
132 Wickham Terrace
Fortitude Valley,
QLD 4006, Australia
info@secalerts.co
By using SecAlerts services, you agree to our services end-user license agreement. This website is safeguarded by reCAPTCHA and governed by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. All names, logos, and brands of products are owned by their respective owners, and any usage of these names, logos, and brands for identification purposes only does not imply endorsement. If you possess any content that requires removal, please get in touch with us.
© 2026 SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
ABN: 70 645 966 203, ACN: 645 966 203