Root-context file deletion via Kerberos cache path
Published Apr 11, 2026 · Updated Apr 11, 2026
External path control in NoMachine Server 9.3.7 allows local users to delete arbitrary files as root via an environment variable. The server places a user-controlled Kerberos cache path in its environment, then uses that path for deletion without validating the target. Exploitation requires low-privileged code execution on the host; root-context deletion can remove system files but does not grant code execution.
Summary
What happened
External path control in NoMachine Server 9.3.7 allows local users to delete arbitrary files as root via an environment variable. The server places a user-controlled Kerberos cache path in its environment, then uses that path for deletion without validating the target. Exploitation requires low-privileged code execution on the host; root-context deletion can remove system files but does not grant code execution.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-5053
- Published
- Apr 11, 2026
- Updated
- Apr 11, 2026
- Vendor
- NoMachine
- Product
- NoMachine
- Classifications
- CWE-73, T1070.004
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Apr 11, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Apr 11, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
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- Affected versionversion=9.3.7
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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