# CVE-2026-5189: Nexus Repository 3 - Hardcoded Credential in Internal Database Component

> Unauthenticated attackers can exploit hardcoded credentials in the internal database to execute arbitrary commands and access data, requiring a specific non-default configuration.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.2 (`CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 15 Apr 2026
- **Updated:** 16 Apr 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-4gcp-x7jh-x4v7

## What is CVE-2026-5189?

CVE-2026-5189 is a critical vulnerability in Sonatype Nexus Repository Manager, published on 15 Apr 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

CWE-798: Use of Hard-coded Credentials in Sonatype Nexus Repository Manager versions 3.0.0 through 3.70.5 allows an unauthenticated attacker with network access to gain unauthorized read/write access to the internal database and execute arbitrary OS commands as the Nexus process user. Exploitation requires the non-default nexus.orient.binaryListenerEnabled=true configuration to be enabled.

Weakness: CWE-798 (Use of Hard-coded Credentials)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-5189?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Sonatype Nexus Repository Manager.

## How do I fix CVE-2026-5189?

No fix has been published for CVE-2026-5189 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2026-5189 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-5189 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Sonatype Nexus Repository Manager

- [CVE-2019-7238](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-7238/): Sonatype Nexus Repository Manager Incorrect Access Control (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2019-9629](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-9629/): Hardcoded credentials in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2017-17717](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-17717/): Hardcoded credentials in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2026-3199](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-3199/): Nexus Repository 3 - Authenticated Remote Code Execution via Task Property Injection (critical 9.4)
- [CVE-2026-17601](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-17601/): Nexus Repository 3 - Wildcard Privilege Update Self-Escalation to Administrator (high 8.9)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2026-5189 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2026-5189 is a critical vulnerability in Sonatype Nexus Repository Manager, published on 15 Apr 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-5189 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Sonatype Nexus Repository Manager. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-5189/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-5189/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-5189
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-5189
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2026-5189

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-5189/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.