---
id: CVE-2026-121549
title: >-
  nnn through 5.3 Insecure Temporary File Symlink Overwrite via pdfread and nuke
  Plugins
summary: >-
  nnn through 5.3 contains an insecure temporary file vulnerability in the
  pdfread and nuke plugins that allows local attackers to overwrite files by
  exploiting predictable paths in /tmp. Attackers can pre-create a symlink at
  the name-deri…
severity: medium
cvss: 4.4
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N'
cvssSource: cna
cwe:
  - CWE-377
vendor: jarun
product: nnn
affected:
  - nnn <= 5.3
published: '2026-11-03'
updated: '2026-11-03'
sourceUpdated: '2026-11-03T15:17:08.749Z'
source: CVEORG
sourceUrl: 'https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-121549'
references:
  - url: 'https://github.com/jarun/nnn/issues/2188'
    label: 'GitHub Issue #2188'
  - url: 'https://github.com/jarun/nnn'
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/jarun/nnn/commit/04715921aece0257fef7a8558c0783493d98efff
    label: Fix commit
  - url: 'https://github.com/jarun/nnn/blob/v5.3/plugins/pdfread#L9-L10'
  - url: 'https://github.com/jarun/nnn/blob/v5.3/plugins/nuke#L280'
  - url: >-
      https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/nnn-through-5.3-insecure-temporary-file-symlink-overwrite-via-pdfread-and-nuke-plugins
    label: >-
      VulnCheck Advisory: nnn through 5.3 Insecure Temporary File Symlink
      Overwrite via pdfread and nuke Plugins
tags:
  - cve.org
epss: 0.00109
epssPercentile: 0.01245
ingestedAt: '2026-11-05T19:30:42.975Z'
---

## Overview

nnn through 5.3 contains an insecure temporary file vulnerability in the pdfread and nuke plugins that allows local attackers to overwrite files by exploiting predictable paths in /tmp. Attackers can pre-create a symlink at the name-derived or PID-derived path so the victim's plugin truncates and overwrites any file the victim can write.

## Affected

- `nnn <= 5.3`

## Remediation

Refer to the linked advisories for vendor-supplied fixes and affected version ranges.