CVE-2026-65109 in Slurm
Summary
by MITRE • 11/03/2026
NVIDIA Slurm is subject to a symlink resolution issue in the container cleanup code that could allow an attacker to remove files outside of their control on the compute node.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2026
The vulnerability identified within NVIDIA Slurm represents a critical security flaw rooted in improper handling of symbolic links during the container lifecycle management process, specifically within the cleanup phase. This issue stems from a classic symlink resolution error where the software fails to adequately validate or canonicalize file paths before performing deletion operations. In many high-performance computing environments, Slurm is responsible for orchestrating job execution across distributed compute nodes, often utilizing container runtimes like Docker or Singularity/Apptainer to isolate workloads. When these containers terminate, the cleanup routine must remove temporary files and directories associated with that specific job instance. However, due to the flaw in path resolution logic, an attacker who can influence the contents of a container's filesystem—typically by submitting a maliciously crafted job script or image—can manipulate this process. By creating symbolic links within their controlled directory structure that point to arbitrary locations on the host compute node’s file system, the cleanup mechanism is tricked into interpreting these relative paths as absolute targets for deletion.
This technical flaw directly enables an attacker to achieve unauthorized file removal beyond the boundaries of their assigned job space. The operational impact is severe and potentially catastrophic for shared computing infrastructure. Since Slurm jobs often run with elevated privileges or have broad access to local storage volumes, a successful exploitation allows the malicious actor to delete critical system files, configuration data belonging to other users, or even core operating system components required for node stability. This constitutes a denial of service condition that can take entire compute nodes offline, disrupting ongoing research and commercial workloads. Furthermore, if sensitive data is stored in directories targeted by these symlinked deletions, the vulnerability also poses a significant risk of data loss and integrity compromise. The attack vector relies on local privilege escalation or job submission capabilities, meaning any user with access to submit jobs to the Slurm cluster can potentially exploit this weakness without needing prior administrative rights, making it an accessible threat for malicious insiders or compromised accounts.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns closely with CWE-59: Improper Link Resolution Before File Access, which describes situations where software does not properly verify symbolic links before using them to access files. This misconfiguration allows the application to interact with unintended resources based on the state of the filesystem at runtime rather than the intended static path structure. In terms of offensive security frameworks such as MITRE ATT&CK, this behavior is indicative of techniques related to Defense Evasion and Impact categories, specifically those involving file deletion or destruction for denial of service purposes. The exploitation does not typically require remote code execution but leverages local interaction with the job scheduler’s cleanup routines, highlighting a gap in input validation within system administration tools that are often assumed to be secure by default due to their privileged nature.
Mitigation strategies must focus on hardening the container runtime integration and enforcing strict path canonicalization before any file operations occur. NVIDIA has addressed this issue through software updates that implement rigorous checks to ensure that resolved paths remain strictly within the expected job directory boundaries, preventing traversal outside of controlled contexts. Administrators should immediately apply these patches or upgrade to a version where symlink resolution is properly sanitized during container teardown processes. Additionally, organizations can mitigate risk by configuring Slurm and underlying container runtimes to restrict file system access using Linux capabilities or namespaces that limit write permissions to specific directories. Implementing mandatory access control systems such as SELinux or AppArmor further constrains the actions that a compromised job process can take on the host kernel level. Regular auditing of submitted scripts for suspicious symbolic link creation patterns and restricting user privileges to only those necessary for their specific tasks will also reduce the attack surface available to potential exploiters.