CVE-2026-100388 rustdesk CVE debrief

Who should care

Defenders responsible for Linux and macOS systems using RustDesk should assess exposure and verify versions. Security teams should review and update file transfer permissions and consider implementing compensating controls to monitor and restrict clipboard access.

Why it matters

CVE-2026-100388 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting RustDesk versions before 1.5.0, allowing authenticated remote peers to access host clipboard contents. Defenders should prioritize verifying RustDesk versions and configurations, especially on Linux and macOS systems, and consider implementing compensating controls to monitor and restrict clipboard access.

• Clipboard contents may be accessed by authenticated remote peers
• File transfer permissions may be bypassed
• Host systems may be vulnerable to unauthorized clipboard access
• Verification of RustDesk versions and configurations is required

Technical summary

RustDesk versions before 1.5.0 fail to properly validate file transfer permissions on incoming file clipboard messages in the Cliprdr message handler on Linux and macOS. This allows authenticated remote peers with disabled file transfer permissions to place files onto the host clipboard and retrieve copied files and contents from the process-wide clipboard cache. The vulnerability can be exploited by authenticated remote peers, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive information. Defenders should prioritize verifying RustDesk versions and configurations, especially on Linux and macOS systems, and consider implementing compensating controls to monitor and restrict clipboard access.

Defensive priority

Defenders should prioritize verifying RustDesk versions and configurations, especially on Linux and macOS systems, and consider implementing compensating controls to monitor and restrict clipboard access.

Recommended defensive actions

• Verify RustDesk versions and configurations on Linux and macOS systems
• Implement compensating controls to monitor and restrict clipboard access
• Review and update file transfer permissions for authenticated remote peers
• Conduct vulnerability scanning to identify exposed systems
• Review system logs for suspicious clipboard access
• Implement network segmentation to limit lateral movement
• Monitor for updates from the vendor on patched versions

Evidence notes

The CVE record and NVD entry provide details on the vulnerability, but additional information on exploitation and affected systems is limited. Further verification is required to determine the full scope of the vulnerability.

Sources and references

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.