CVE-2025-33246
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2025-33246 is a command injection vulnerability in NVIDIA's NeMo Framework ASR Evaluator utility that allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands by supplying crafted input to a configuration parameter. This affects all platforms running vulnerable versions of NVIDIA NeMo Framework. Successful exploitation could lead to remote code execution, privilege escalation, or data compromise.
💻 Affected Systems
- NVIDIA NeMo Framework
📦 What is this software?
Nemo by Nvidia
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise with attacker gaining root/admin privileges, complete data exfiltration, and persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
Unauthorized code execution in the context of the NeMo Framework service account, potentially leading to data tampering or lateral movement within the environment.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper input validation and sandboxing, potentially only causing service disruption.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires access to the configuration parameter input. No public exploit code has been observed as of the advisory date.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Check NVIDIA advisory for specific patched version
Vendor Advisory: https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5762
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Review NVIDIA advisory CVE-2025-33246
2. Download and install the latest patched version of NVIDIA NeMo Framework
3. Restart all services using the NeMo Framework
4. Verify the patch is applied correctly
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Input Validation Enhancement
allImplement strict input validation for ASR Evaluator configuration parameters to reject suspicious characters
# Review and sanitize all user inputs to ASR Evaluator configuration
# Implement allow-list validation for configuration parameters
Access Restriction
allRestrict access to ASR Evaluator utility to only trusted users and systems
# Implement network segmentation
# Use firewall rules to limit access to ASR Evaluator ports
# Apply principle of least privilege for user accounts
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable or remove the ASR Evaluator utility if not required for operations
- Implement strict network segmentation to isolate vulnerable systems from critical assets
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check NVIDIA NeMo Framework version against the advisory. If using a version prior to the patched release, the system is vulnerable.Check Version:
# For Python installations: pip show nemo-toolkit
# Check package version in your deployment environmentVerify Fix Applied:
Verify the installed version matches or exceeds the patched version specified in NVIDIA's advisory.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual command execution patterns from NeMo processes
- Suspicious configuration parameter values in ASR Evaluator logs
- Unexpected process spawns from nemo-related services
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected outbound connections from NeMo Framework hosts
- Anomalous traffic patterns to/from ASR Evaluator ports
SIEM Query:
process_name:nemo AND (command_line:*cmd* OR command_line:*sh* OR command_line:*powershell*)