CVE-2022-26865 in Support Assist OS Recovery
Summary
by MITRE • 05/26/2022
Dell Support Assist OS Recovery versions before 5.5.2 contain an Authentication Bypass vulnerability. An unauthenticated attacker with physical access to the system may exploit this vulnerability by bypassing OS Recovery authentication in order to run arbitrary code on the system as Administrator.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-26865 affects Dell Support Assist OS Recovery software versions prior to 5.5.2, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw that fundamentally undermines system security. This issue resides within the operating system recovery functionality of Dell's support software, which is designed to provide system recovery options for end users. The vulnerability specifically targets the authentication mechanisms that should prevent unauthorized access to critical recovery functions, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass these security controls entirely.
The technical flaw manifests as a failure in the authentication process within the OS Recovery component, where the system does not properly validate user credentials or access permissions before allowing recovery operations to proceed. This authentication bypass occurs when an attacker has physical access to the target system, leveraging the absence of proper access controls during the recovery phase. The vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code with administrator privileges, effectively granting them complete control over the system. This represents a severe compromise of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a critical failure in the software's security architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with the ability to execute malicious code with elevated privileges. This creates a significant risk for organizations relying on Dell Support Assist OS Recovery, as it allows for potential system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent access to target machines. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only physical access to the system, eliminating the need for network-based exploitation or sophisticated social engineering techniques. This makes it a particularly attractive target for attackers who have gained physical access to devices, whether through theft, insider threats, or other means of gaining access to target systems.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1072 for software deployment, as attackers can deploy malicious code through the bypassed recovery mechanisms. The vulnerability also reflects poor security design principles where recovery functions should be protected by robust authentication controls, particularly in enterprise environments where physical security may be compromised. Organizations should consider implementing additional security measures such as secure boot configurations, disk encryption, and physical access controls to mitigate the risk. The recommended mitigation strategy involves updating to Dell Support Assist OS Recovery version 5.5.2 or later, which includes proper authentication controls and fixes the identified bypass vulnerability. Additionally, system administrators should conduct thorough security assessments to identify any systems running vulnerable versions and implement immediate remediation measures to prevent exploitation of this critical flaw.