CVE-2026-33145: xrdp: Authenticated RCE via unsanitized AlternateShell execution in xrdp-sesman
xrdp is an open source RDP server. Versions through 0.10.5 allow an authenticated remote user to execute arbitrary commands on the server due to unsafe handling of the AlternateShell parameter in xrdp-sesman. When the AllowAlternateShell setting is enabled (which is the default when not explicitly configured), xrdp accepts a client-supplied AlternateShell value and executes it via /bin/sh -c during session initialization. This results in shell-interpreted execution of unsanitized, user-controlled input. This behavior effectively provides a scriptable remote command execution primitive over RDP within the security context of the authenticated user, occurring prior to normal window manager startup. This can bypass expected session initialization flows and operational assumptions that restrict execution to interactive desktop environments. This issue has been fixed in version 0.10.6.
Affected Software
Remediation
Patch Available
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-33145?
CVE-2026-33145 has been assigned a high severity rating due to potential remote code execution by authenticated users.
How do I fix CVE-2026-33145?
To fix CVE-2026-33145, upgrade to xrdp version 0.10.6 or later.
Who is affected by CVE-2026-33145?
CVE-2026-33145 affects all versions of xrdp up to and including 0.10.5.
What type of vulnerability is CVE-2026-33145?
CVE-2026-33145 is an authenticated remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability.
What component is vulnerable in CVE-2026-33145?
The vulnerability in CVE-2026-33145 lies in the unsafe handling of the AlternateShell parameter in xrdp-sesman.