Attack ChainAIDerived
Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain
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AccessObtain local code execution as low-privileged user
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ExploitCraft malicious environment variable with path
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ExecutionNoMachine processes variable without validation
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ImpactArbitrary file deletion executed as root
Vulnerability Assessment
| Weakness |
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A06:2025 - Insecure Design
ASVS 5.0
V5 - File Handling File name/path control
|
| Exploitation Conditions | Requires local low-privileged code execution on the NoMachine target system. Attacker exploits improper environment variable validation in file operations to delete arbitrary files with root privileges. No user interaction needed. |
| Impact | Local privilege escalation enabling root-level arbitrary file deletion. CVSS 7.1 reflects high integrity/availability impact but requires prior code execution foothold. EPSS data unavailable; ZDI disclosure suggests coordinated patching. Priority depends on NoMachine deployment scope and whether local execution boundaries are enforced in your environment. |
| Exploit ScenarioDerived | Attacker with local low-privileged access manipulates environment variables to redirect file operations, causing NoMachine process (running as root) to delete arbitrary files. No public exploit identified at time of analysis. |
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Alert meAnalysisAIv1 – Apr 11, 2026
Arbitrary file deletion in NoMachine through environment variable path manipulation allows authenticated local attackers to delete system files with root privileges. Vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied paths in file operations, enabling low-privileged users to escalate impact by removing critical files. Affects NoMachine cross-platform remote desktop software. No public exploit identified at time of analysis.
RemediationAI
No vendor-released patch identified at time of analysis. Organizations should monitor NoMachine vendor advisory channels and apply updates immediately upon release. Interim mitigations: restrict local access to NoMachine installations through operating system permissions, enforce principle of least privilege for user accounts, implement file integrity monitoring for critical system paths, and audit environment variable usage in NoMachine configurations. Review ZDI advisory for vendor coordination status: https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-26-247/. Disable NoMachine service on systems where remote desktop functionality is not operationally required until patched version becomes available.
Affected VersionsENISA
Affected Packages
Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)
Affects your stack
Affects 1 package in euvd
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Technical ContextAI · show details
CWE-73 external control of file path flaw in environment variable processing. Attacker-controlled path values bypass validation checks before file system operations execute under elevated root context, enabling unauthorized file deletion outside intended scope.
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Severity by source
AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H
Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.
CVSS VectorNVD
DescriptionCVE.org
NoMachine External Control of File Path Arbitrary File Deletion Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to delete arbitrary files on affected installations of NoMachine. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.
The specific flaw exists within the handling of environment variables. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of a user-supplied path prior to using it in file operations. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to delete files in the context of root. Was ZDI-CAN-28644.
Executive ViewAI
CVE-2026-5053 affects NoMachine remote desktop software, allowing authenticated local users to delete arbitrary system files with root privileges through environment variable manipulation. This creates a privilege escalation risk for organizations using NoMachine for remote access, as compromised or malicious local accounts can disable critical system functionality or degrade operational security controls.
No vendor-released patch identified at time of analysis. Interim mitigations: (1) Restrict local system access to NoMachine hosts through OS-level access controls and privileged account management; (2) Monitor and audit environment variable configuration on NoMachine systems; (3) Disable NoMachine on systems not requiring remote access; (4) Implement file integrity monitoring on critical system directories; (5) Isolate NoMachine infrastructure on separate network segments with restricted outbound connectivity.
Threat Intelligence Overview
How this decision was reached
The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.
What every action level means
SSVC AssessmentENISA
Priority Score
Attack Technique
Remote Code Execution represents the critical moment when an attacker successfully runs arbitrary code on a target system without physical access.
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EUVD-2026-21651
NVD
CVE.org
EPSS
Vulnrichment
VulDB
GitHub PoC
Exploit-DB