Root code execution via unvalidated Kerberos cache path
Published Apr 11, 2026 · Updated Apr 11, 2026
Local privilege escalation in NoMachine Server v8 and v9 allows local users to execute arbitrary code as root via a crafted Kerberos cache path. Command-line handling accepts a user-controlled path to a valid Kerberos cache file and uses it in privileged copy or overwrite operations without proper validation. Low-privileged code execution on the host is required, and successful exploitation permits arbitrary file overwrites or copies as root.
Summary
What happened
Local privilege escalation in NoMachine Server v8 and v9 allows local users to execute arbitrary code as root via a crafted Kerberos cache path. Command-line handling accepts a user-controlled path to a valid Kerberos cache file and uses it in privileged copy or overwrite operations without proper validation. Low-privileged code execution on the host is required, and successful exploitation permits arbitrary file overwrites or copies as root.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-5054
- Published
- Apr 11, 2026
- Updated
- Apr 11, 2026
- Vendor
- NoMachine
- Product
- NoMachine
- Classifications
- CWE-73, T1068
- 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
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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