CVE-2026-65097 in NemoClaw
Summary
by MITRE • 08/25/2026
NVIDIA NemoClaw for Linux contains a vulnerability in its installation scripts, where an attacker could cause a download of code without integrity check. A successful exploit of this vulnerability might lead to code execution, escalation of privileges, information disclosure, and data tampering.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2026
The NVIDIA NemoClaw software suite for Linux environments contains a critical security flaw within its installation scripts that compromises the integrity verification process during package deployment. This vulnerability stems from an implementation error where the script facilitates the download and execution of external code components without performing adequate cryptographic validation or checksum verification against known trusted sources. In secure software distribution practices, it is imperative to verify the authenticity and integrity of downloaded artifacts using mechanisms such as SHA-256 hashes signed with private keys corresponding to a public key infrastructure managed by the vendor. The absence of these checks means that any intermediate party capable of intercepting network traffic or compromising the download server can substitute legitimate code with malicious payloads without detection by the installation process itself.
From an operational perspective, this flaw creates a severe risk vector for supply chain attacks and man-in-the-middle scenarios during the initial setup phase of NemoClaw. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can inject arbitrary commands or binaries into the system under the context of the user executing the installer, which often requires elevated privileges to modify system directories or install services. Consequently, a successful exploitation could lead directly to remote code execution on the target host. This initial foothold allows for further lateral movement within the network infrastructure and facilitates privilege escalation if the installation process runs with root or administrative rights, thereby granting the attacker full control over the compromised Linux environment.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate system compromise to include significant risks related to information disclosure and data tampering. Once code execution is achieved, an adversary can exfiltrate sensitive configuration files, credentials stored in local repositories, or proprietary AI model weights managed by NemoClaw. Furthermore, the ability to tamper with installed components means that attackers could alter the behavior of legitimate NVIDIA tools, potentially introducing backdoors or modifying outputs for machine learning tasks without leaving obvious traces of intrusion. This undermines the trustworthiness of the entire computational environment and poses a threat to data integrity in critical AI workflows.
To mitigate this risk, organizations deploying NemoClaw should immediately verify the checksums of all installation packages against official values published by NVIDIA before execution. It is recommended to utilize secure transfer protocols such as HTTPS with certificate pinning where possible and ensure that network segments hosting or accessing these downloads are protected by robust intrusion detection systems capable of identifying anomalous download patterns. Additionally, applying principle of least privilege during the installation process can limit the potential blast radius if an exploit occurs. NVIDIA has acknowledged this issue in their security advisories, and users should apply any available patches or updated installer scripts that enforce strict integrity checks before proceeding with deployment on production systems. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-829 regarding inclusion of functionality from untrusted control sources and represents a significant deviation from secure coding standards outlined in OWASP guidelines for software installation processes.