# CVE-2026-113496: Cockpit-machines VNC password disclosure via command-line arguments

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-113496-a-flaw-was-found-in-cockpit-machines-when-saving-virtual-network  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-20. Updated: 2026-10-20  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-113496 · Severity: medium · CVSS 5 · Published 2026-10-20

Cockpit-machines is a web interface for managing virtual machines on Linux systems. When administrators save VNC console connection settings, the password is exposed in the system process list, allowing unprivileged users on the same host to steal the credentials. An attacker could use this password to gain unauthorized access to virtual machine graphical consoles.

Technologies: [Red Hat Cockpit Machines](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/cockpit-machines). Vendors: [Red Hat](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/red-hat).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-113496 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-113496 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-113496?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 5, published 20 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Red Hat cockpit-machines.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-113496?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-113496 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a web application.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-113496?** Check whether you run Red Hat Cockpit Machines. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

The vulnerability is a sensitive information disclosure (CWE-214) where VNC passwords are passed as plaintext command-line arguments to the virt-xml utility, making them visible to process inspection. A local unprivileged attacker requires only the ability to list processes on the system and user interaction (another user modifying VNC settings) to extract the password. This grants unauthorized access to the guest VM's graphical console.

## Affected products

- Red Hat cockpit-machines

## Timeline

- 2026-10-20: disclosed

## References

- [https://access.redhat.com/downloads/content/package-browser/](https://access.redhat.com/downloads/content/package-browser/)
- [https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-113496](https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-113496)

## Related threats

- [cockpit-machines RHSM token disclosure in process arguments](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-113495-a-flaw-was-found-in-cockpit-machines-red-hat-subscription)
- [Cockpit Machines credential exposure via process inspection](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-92747-a-flaw-was-found-in-cockpit-machines-this-vulnerability-allows-a)
- [cockpit-machines information disclosure of RHSM token via process arguments](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-92745-a-flaw-was-found-in-cockpit-machines-this-vulnerability-allows-a)