CVE-2026-24169: NVIDIA UFM Enterprise RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2026-24169 Overview

CVE-2026-24169 is a command injection vulnerability in the NVIDIA Unified Fabric Manager (UFM) Enterprise plugin management API. An authenticated user with low privileges on an adjacent network can inject code by sending a specially crafted API request. Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution, privilege escalation, and information disclosure on the UFM Enterprise host. The flaw is categorized under CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command. NVIDIA UFM Enterprise is widely deployed to manage InfiniBand fabrics in high-performance computing and AI training environments, making the host a high-value target for lateral movement.

Critical Impact
A low-privileged authenticated attacker on an adjacent network can execute arbitrary commands on the UFM Enterprise management server, gaining full control over InfiniBand fabric operations.

Affected Products

NVIDIA UFM Enterprise (plugin management API component)
Refer to the NVIDIA product security advisory for specific affected versions
Deployments exposing the UFM management API to fabric-adjacent networks

Discovery Timeline

2026-08-25 - CVE-2026-24169 published to NVD
2026-08-25 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-24169

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the plugin management API of NVIDIA UFM Enterprise. The API accepts user-supplied input that is passed into an underlying command execution context without proper neutralization of shell metacharacters. An authenticated attacker with low privileges submits a specially crafted request that embeds command separators or shell operators inside a plugin management parameter.

Because the plugin management subsystem typically orchestrates plugin installation, loading, or lifecycle operations on the UFM host, injected commands run with the privileges of the UFM service account. This produces the three impacts documented by NVIDIA: arbitrary code execution, privilege escalation, and information disclosure. UFM Enterprise hosts store fabric credentials, topology data, and management keys, giving an attacker high-value secondary targets after initial compromise.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements in command construction ([CWE-77]). The plugin management API concatenates attacker-controlled values into a command string or invokes a shell interpreter without argument-level separation. Input validation and allowlisting on plugin parameters are absent or insufficient.

Attack Vector

The attack requires network adjacency and valid low-privilege credentials to the UFM management interface. No user interaction is needed. An attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to the plugin management endpoint containing shell metacharacters such as ;, |, `, or $() inside a plugin-related field. The UFM service processes the request, and the injected payload executes on the host. Refer to the NVIDIA product security repository for vendor-provided technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-24169

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected child processes spawned by the UFM Enterprise service, such as sh, bash, python, curl, or wget.
Plugin management API requests containing shell metacharacters (;, |, &&, `, $() in plugin name, path, or configuration fields.
Outbound network connections from the UFM host to previously unseen external addresses.
New or modified files under UFM plugin directories that do not match vendor-signed plugin artifacts.

Detection Strategies

Deploy application-layer logging on the UFM API and alert on plugin management endpoints receiving non-alphanumeric characters in parameters.
Baseline the process tree of the UFM service and alert on deviations, particularly shell interpreters and network utilities.
Correlate authentication events for low-privileged UFM accounts with plugin management API calls to detect anomalous usage.

Monitoring Recommendations

Forward UFM API access logs, authentication logs, and host process telemetry to a centralized analytics platform for correlation.
Monitor egress traffic from UFM Enterprise servers, which should have a narrow and predictable communication profile.
Track file integrity for the UFM installation directory and plugin store to catch unauthorized plugin deployment.

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-24169

Immediate Actions Required

Apply the NVIDIA UFM Enterprise security update referenced in the NVIDIA product security advisory as soon as it is available.
Restrict network access to the UFM management API to a dedicated administrative VLAN and trusted management hosts.
Rotate credentials for all UFM accounts, especially any low-privileged accounts that may have been exposed.
Audit UFM plugin directories and API logs for signs of prior exploitation before patching.

Patch Information

NVIDIA publishes fixed versions and remediation guidance through its product security repository. Consult the NVIDIA advisory for bulletin 5809 and the NVD entry for CVE-2026-24169 for the authoritative fixed version list and upgrade procedure.

Workarounds

Limit UFM Enterprise user accounts to the minimum necessary, and remove low-privileged accounts that do not require API access.
Place the UFM management interface behind a network access control list that permits only administrative jump hosts.
Enable multi-factor authentication on identity providers backing UFM to raise the cost of credential compromise.
Disable or gate the plugin management API at a reverse proxy until the patch is applied.

bash

# Example: restrict UFM management API to an admin subnet with iptables
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 8443 -s 10.10.50.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 8443 -j DROP