CVE-2025-33249: 
NixOS vulnerability analysis and mitigation

CVE-2025-33249 is a command injection vulnerability in the NVIDIA NeMo Framework's voice-preprocessing script, affecting all platforms running versions prior to 2.6.1. Malicious input crafted by an attacker can trigger code injection, potentially leading to code execution, privilege escalation, information disclosure, and data tampering. The vulnerability was published on February 18, 2026, with an initial NVD analysis completed on February 20, 2026. It carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8 (High), assigned by NVIDIA Corporation (NVIDIA Advisory, Red Hat CVE).

The vulnerability is classified as CWE-77 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command — 'Command Injection'). The flaw resides in a voice-preprocessing script within the NeMo Framework, where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being passed to a system command or interpreter, allowing an attacker to inject arbitrary commands. Exploitation requires only local access with low privileges and no user interaction, making it straightforward for an attacker who has already obtained initial access to a system running NeMo. No public proof-of-concept code has been identified at this time (NVIDIA Advisory, Red Hat CVE).

Successful exploitation of CVE-2025-33249 can result in arbitrary code execution on the affected host, escalation of privileges beyond the attacker's initial access level, unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, and tampering with data processed by the NeMo Framework. Given that NeMo is commonly deployed in AI/ML research and production environments, compromise could expose model weights, training data, or proprietary pipelines. The scope is limited to the affected system (unchanged scope), but privilege escalation could enable further lateral movement within the environment (NVIDIA Advisory, Red Hat CVE).

There is no evidence of public proof-of-concept exploit code or active in-the-wild exploitation of CVE-2025-33249 at this time. The vulnerability has not been added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. The EPSS score is approximately 0.018%, reflecting a low probability of exploitation in the near term. No threat actor attribution has been reported (Red Hat CVE, NVIDIA Advisory).

1. Initial Access: Obtain local access to a system running NVIDIA NeMo Framework versions prior to 2.6.1 with at least low-privilege user credentials.
2. Identify the vulnerable component: Locate the voice-preprocessing script within the NeMo Framework installation (typically within the NeMo audio/speech processing pipeline).
3. Craft malicious input: Prepare input data or parameters containing command injection payloads (e.g., shell metacharacters such as ;, |, &&, or backticks) designed to be interpreted as OS commands when processed by the script.
4. Trigger the vulnerability: Supply the crafted input to the voice-preprocessing script, either directly via the command line, through an API call, or by providing a malicious audio/text file that the script processes.
5. Achieve code execution: The injected commands execute in the context of the NeMo process, potentially allowing the attacker to spawn a shell, exfiltrate data, or escalate privileges on the host (NVIDIA Advisory).

• Process: Unexpected child processes spawned by the NeMo Framework process (e.g., /bin/sh, /bin/bash, cmd.exe, curl, wget, python) during or after voice-preprocessing operations.
• Logs: System or application logs showing unusual command strings or shell metacharacters (;, |, &&, backticks) in NeMo voice-preprocessing input fields or arguments.
• File System: Unexpected new files, scripts, or binaries created in NeMo installation directories or temporary directories following voice-preprocessing activity; unauthorized modifications to NeMo configuration or model files.
• Network: Unexpected outbound network connections from the NeMo process to external IP addresses, particularly following voice-preprocessing operations, which may indicate data exfiltration or reverse shell activity.

NVIDIA has released a patch in NeMo Framework version 2.6.1, which resolves this vulnerability. All users running NeMo versions prior to 2.6.1 on any platform should upgrade immediately via NVIDIA's support portal. For systems that cannot be patched immediately, administrators should restrict local access to the affected system, limit the privileges of users who can interact with the voice-preprocessing script, and monitor logs for suspicious command injection patterns in NeMo-related processes (NVIDIA Advisory).

NVIDIA published a security bulletin in February 2026 addressing this and potentially other vulnerabilities in the NeMo Framework. Red Hat also tracked the CVE for potential impact on their platforms. No significant independent researcher commentary, social media discussion, or major media coverage has been identified for this vulnerability beyond standard vulnerability database aggregation (NVIDIA Advisory, Red Hat CVE).