Networkmanager-vpnc: networkmanager-vpnc: local privilege escalation to root via newline injection in vpn username (CVE-2026-91840) | HOL Guard CVE

High · CVSS 7.8CVE-2026-91840

Networkmanager-vpnc: networkmanager-vpnc: local privilege escalation to root via newline injection in vpn username

Answer in brief

CVE-2026-91840 records a High severity (CVSS 7.8) vulnerability in Networkmanager-vpnc: networkmanager-vpnc: local privilege escalation to root via newline injection in vpn username. The current sources do not mark it as known exploited. The current feed maps GNOME/network-manager-vpnc (generic). Check affected ranges and fixed versions before updating.

Analysis pending evidence review

HOL Guard separates source facts from reviewed analysis. See the methodology.

Published Sep 25, 2026Updated Sep 25, 2026Source checked Sep 25, 2026First seen by HOL Sep 25, 2026Material review Sep 25, 2026

Upstream Advisory

Key facts

Risk: High · CVSS 7.8
Exploitation: Not marked as known exploited
Affected software: 1 mapped package or product
Fix availability: Available

Why this deserves its current priority

CVSS is 7.8. The current sources do not mark it as known exploited. Treat this as a source-backed prioritization signal, not a statement about your environment.

Analysis status

Analysis pending evidence review

Factual feed record only; HOL analysis is not approved for indexing. Read the methodology.

Affected scope and exposure questions

The current feed maps GNOME/network-manager-vpnc (generic). Check affected ranges and fixed versions before updating.

Mapped affected packages and fixed versions
Package	Affected range	Fixed version
GNOME/network-manager-vpncgeneric	>=0 <*	*

Recommended response

Check inventory. Check lockfiles and deployed manifests for GNOME/network-manager-vpnc.
Review the reported fix. Source-reported workaround: If vpnc VPN connections are not required, the NetworkManager-vpnc package can be removed to eliminate the vulnerability. This action will prevent the system from establishing vpnc-based VPN connections. To remove the package, execute the following command as root: `# dnf remove NetworkManager-vpnc` Note that removing this package may impact functionality if vpnc VPNs are actively used.

Evidence timeline and material changes

Published upstream
Sep 25, 2026
Evidence: source:cvelist:source_dates:source-dates:record
Source modified
Sep 25, 2026
Evidence: source:cvelist:source_dates:source-dates:record
First seen by HOL
Sep 25, 2026

Sources and claim methodology

Upstream source description

A flaw was found in NetworkManager-vpnc. This vulnerability allows a local unprivileged user to escalate privileges to root. By injecting a newline character into the VPN username field, an attacker can manipulate the vpnc configuration to execute an arbitrary program with root privileges when the malicious VPN connection is activated.

Quoted source text, attributed separately from HOL analysis.