# CVE-2026-92768: cockpit-machines sensitive data exposure in command-line arguments

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-92768-a-flaw-was-found-in-cockpit-machines-this-vulnerability-allows-a  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-18. Updated: 2026-09-26  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-92768 · Severity: medium · CVSS 5.5 · Published 2026-09-18

cockpit-machines is a web interface component for managing virtual machines on Linux systems. A flaw allows local users to read plaintext VM credentials and passwords by inspecting process command-line arguments during VM creation or installation. An attacker with local system access can intercept these passwords without special tools, potentially gaining unauthorized access to managed virtual machines.

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-92768 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-92768 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-92768?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 5.5, published 18 September 2026.

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

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-92768?** 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-2026-92768 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a web application.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-92768?** Check whether you run 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 stems from passing password values directly on the command line during VM creation or installation, exposing them via /proc/[pid]/cmdline inspection. Attack requires local system access and occurs during a specific execution window when the sensitive command is running. Successful exploitation results in plaintext credential disclosure (CWE-214) with no integrity or availability impact, only confidentiality compromise.

## Affected products

- cockpit-machines

## Timeline

- 2026-09-18: 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-2026-92768](https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-92768)