RustDesk Client Transmits Preset Address Book Password Verbatim in Heartbeat Sync
rustdesk-client · RustDesk Client
6.9MediumCVSS 4.0
Recommended action
Within 7 days
Medium technical severity with public exploit material referenced by a structured source; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance.
Published severityMedium→Operational priority:High, raised one band.upgradedsince 19 Jul 2026
Evidence used
No CISA KEV confirmation is currently recorded.
A structured source references public exploit or proof-of-concept material.
The selected CVSS metric records a network-reachable, unauthenticated path with no user interaction.
EPSS is 0.51% for the current model date.
Compensating controls
Validate the affected product branch and deploy the verified fixed release.
Restrict the affected network interface to trusted sources where business-safe.
Increase monitoring for the attack path and post-exploitation behaviour described in the report.
Verification
Confirm that the asset runs rustdesk-client RustDesk Client and falls inside the recorded affected range.
Verify the installed build against the product-specific fixed version after deployment.
Validate exposure, authentication requirements and compensating controls in the actual environment.
Reopen this reassessment when CVSS, KEV, EPSS, exploit evidence or remediation changes.
Optional official sources
National CERT insights ?CERT means Computer Emergency Response Team; CSIRT is the closely related term Computer Security Incident Response Team.
Choose official national sources for this report. Each advisory shows its original language. Your selection is remembered on this device and included in shared links.
Official European source
ENISA European Vulnerability Database
Official EUVD identifiers, advisory evidence and known-exploited context. Missing fields are not treated as evidence of low risk.
1 current
ENISA EUVD identifier
EUVD-2026-9836
No EUVD known-exploited evidence
ENISA has published the identifier mapping but no EUVD description has been stored yet.
EUVD state
Present in the current official mapping
Known exploitation
Not present in the current ENISA EUVD known-exploited dataset. This is not proof of no exploitation.
ENISA score
Not supplied in the stored EUVD record
Advisory evidence
No linked advisory details stored yet
Recommended actionWithin 7 days
Medium technical severity with public exploit material referenced by a structured source; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance.
Patch available
01
What, why and how
Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information, Insufficiently Protected Credentials vulnerability in rustdesk-client RustDesk Client rustdesk-client on Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android (Address book sync, Heartbeat sync loop modules) allows Sniffing Attacks.
The client places the preset address-book password verbatim into the heartbeat sync JSON body (src/hbbs_http/sync.rs). Over an intact HTTPS session it is not exposed in transit, but it is a reusable shared secret rather than a zero-knowledge proof, so it is recovered by any party that becomes the API endpoint - under the re-homed/rogue API server (CVE-2026-30797) - and the leaked credential then authorizes the server-side address book.
This vulnerability is associated with program files src/hbbs_http/sync.rs and program routines heartbeat sync body builder (emits preset-address-book-password).
This issue affects RustDesk Client: through 1.4.8.
What
Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information, Insufficiently Protected Credentials vulnerability in rustdesk-client RustDesk Client rustdesk-client on Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android (Address book sync, Heartbeat sync loop modules) allows Sniffing Attacks.
The client places the preset address-book password verbatim into the heartbeat sync JSON body (src/hbbs_http/sync.rs). Over an intact HTTPS session it is not exposed in transit, but it is a reusable shared secret rather than a zero-knowledge proof, so it is recovered by any party that becomes the API endpoint - under the re-homed/rogue API server (CVE-2026-30797) - and the leaked credential then authorizes the server-side address book.
This vulnerability is associated with program files src/hbbs_http/sync.rs and program routines heartbeat sync body builder (emits preset-address-book-password).
This issue affects RustDesk Client: through 1.4.8.
Why
The product transmits or stores authentication credentials, but it uses an insecure method that is susceptible to unauthorized interception and/or retrieval.
How
An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation without authentication or user interaction. If successful, the issue may obtain information outside the intended access boundary.
What
Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information, Insufficiently Protected Credentials vulnerability in rustdesk-client RustDesk Client rustdesk-client on Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android (Address book sync, Heartbeat sync loop modules) allows Sniffing Attacks.
The client places the preset address-book password verbatim into the heartbeat sync JSON body (src/hbbs_http/sync.rs). Over an intact HTTPS session it is not exposed in transit, but it is a reusable shared secret rather than a zero-knowledge proof, so it is recovered by any party that becomes the API endpoint - under the re-homed/rogue API server (CVE-2026-30797) - and the leaked credential then authorizes the server-side address book.
This vulnerability is associated with program files src/hbbs_http/sync.rs and program routines heartbeat sync body builder (emits preset-address-book-password).
This issue affects RustDesk Client: through 1.4.8.
Why
The product transmits or stores authentication credentials, but it uses an insecure method that is susceptible to unauthorized interception and/or retrieval.
How
An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation without authentication or user interaction. If successful, the issue may obtain information outside the intended access boundary.
02
Exploit reality and attack path
CVSS severity, EPSS forecast probability, public exploit material and CISA-confirmed exploitation are separate signals.
Observed exploitation ?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.No confirmed evidence
No CISA KEV match was present at the last successful refresh. This means no confirmation from that source, not proof of no exploitation.
Public PoC / exploit material ?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.Reference recorded
A structured CVE source labels at least one public reference as exploit material. BlackTree has not independently validated that it is safe, reliable or weaponised.
Likely attack path
a network path → Insufficiently Protected Credentials → obtain information outside the intended access boundary
Attack surface
Network
Privileges required
None: unauthenticated exploitation is possible
User interaction
None
Attack complexity
Low: no specialised conditions are recorded
Security boundary
Not a CVSS 4.0 base metric
Weakness ?CWE means Common Weakness Enumeration: a standard category for the underlying weakness.
CWE-522: Insufficiently Protected Credentials. The product transmits or stores authentication credentials, but it uses an insecure method that is susceptible to unauthorized interception and/or retrieval.
CVSS vector ?CVSS means Common Vulnerability Scoring System. The vector records the metric values used to calculate technical severity.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System 4.0: the compact vector below is decoded into plain language.
AVNetworkAttack vector: The vulnerable component can be reached over a network.ACLowAttack complexity: No specialised conditions are required beyond attacker-controlled input.ATPresentAttack requirements: A particular deployment or execution condition must be present.PRNonePrivileges required: The attacker does not need an account or existing privileges.UINoneUser interaction: No action by another user is required.VCNoneVulnerable-system confidentiality: No direct loss is represented by this metric.VINoneVulnerable-system integrity: No direct loss is represented by this metric.VANoneVulnerable-system availability: No direct loss is represented by this metric.SCHighSubsequent-system confidentiality: A successful attack can cause a major loss.SINoneSubsequent-system integrity: No direct loss is represented by this metric.SANoneSubsequent-system availability: No direct loss is represented by this metric.
Post-exploitation / living off the land
Stolen credentials, tokens and legitimate administration functions may provide continued access without deploying a large custom toolset.
Only matched European and national findings are included. Language selectors and unavailable sources are omitted.
ENISA EUVD · EUVD-2026-9836Official EUVD mapping
0 linked advisory records.
Official EUVD record ↗Cyber Security Agency of Singapore · English · CSA-SB-20260311Security Bulletin 11 Mar 2026
The Cyber Security Agency of Singapore included this CVE in its official Security Bulletin 11 Mar 2026, published on 11 March 2026. Open the linked bulletin for the product, severity and reference information published in that issue.
Official advisory ↗JVN iPedia · Japanese · JVNDB-2026-008738rustdeskのRustDesk serverにおける重要な情報の平文での送信に関する脆弱性
RustDesk Server Proにおける機密情報の平文送信の脆弱性は、Windows、MacOS、Linux上のアドレス帳同期APIモジュールに影響し、盗聴攻撃を可能にします。この脆弱性はクローズドソースのプログラムファイルに関連しており、APIエンドポイントがハートビート同期を処理し、プログラムの処理ルーチンであるハートビートAPIハンドラーがプレセットされたアドレス帳パスワードを平文で受け取ることに起因します。本問題はRustDesk Server Proのバージョン1.7.5までに影響を及ぼします。
Operational remediation based on structured source evidence.
Status ?Patch availability is based on structured fixed-version fields and authoritative update references. If no fix is verified, check the vendor advisory before making a change.
Review the linked authoritative reference and apply the recorded fixed release appropriate to the affected product branch.
Workaround
No verified workaround is recorded. If business-safe, reduce exposure to the affected interface and allow only trusted sources until authoritative guidance is available.
04
Evidence and provenance
Published 5 Mar 2026 · Last source change 19 Jul 2026, 11:54 UTC · CWE-522 · Insufficiently Protected Credentials
CVE recordCVE.org · 5.2
CVSS sourceCNA
EPSS source ?The date BlackTree first stored a score for this CVE from the daily FIRST EPSS feed.FIRST · tracked since 2026-08-14
European sourceENISA EUVD · EUVD-2026-9836
Product sourceCNA
Remediation sourceCVE/CNA references
CWE sourceCNA
NVD statusNVD modified after enrichment
Core structured fields are present and their contributing authorities are shown above.
Technical terms and abbreviations used in this report
CVE
Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures: the public identifier for one disclosed vulnerability.
CVSS
Common Vulnerability Scoring System: a technical severity framework; it is not patching priority by itself.
EPSS
Exploit Prediction Scoring System: FIRST's estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days; it is a forecast, not confirmation.
CWE
Common Weakness Enumeration: the standard category describing the underlying software or hardware weakness.
CNA
CVE Numbering Authority: an organisation authorised to assign and publish CVE records.
CISA ADP
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Authorized Data Publisher: structured enrichment added to a CVE record.
NVD
National Vulnerability Database: NIST's enrichment service for CVE records.
CERT / CSIRT
A computer security incident response team that publishes warnings or coordinates incident response.
PoC
Proof of concept: public material that demonstrates or helps reproduce exploitation.
CSAF
Common Security Advisory Framework: a machine-readable format for security advisories.
LoTL
Living off the land: abuse of legitimate tools or system functions during an attack.